How SDS-PAGE Works

#8 — You probably have or will use SDS-PAGE at some point to separate proteins, but do you really understand how this technique works? Knowing how SDS-PAGE works means you can tweak and troubleshoot your technique as well as impress your supervisor and lab mates.

In this episode, we take you through how SDS-PAGE works, including what SDS does, why you need to use a reducing agent like DTT or beta-mercaptoethanol, and the critical importance of the stacking gel.

Read the full How SDS-PAGE Works article to see helpful visuals for how this technique works and access the table showing the protein sizes that different acrylamide percentages can separate. [1]

Expand your knowledge by buffing up on Laemmli buffer and get our Guide to Gradient Gels. [2,3] If you pour your own SDS-PAGE gels, take a deep dive into the chemistry of how gels work and learn how to pour perfect gels every time with our Simple SDS-PAGE Gel Recipe with 10-Step Casting Protocol. [4]

Resources:
1. How SDS-PAGE Works. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/580/how-sds-page-works/
2. Laemmli Buffer: What Is It for Anyway? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/44540/laemmli-buffer-what-is-it-for-anyway/
3. A Guide to Gradient Gels: The Why’s and How’s. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/47184/gradient-gels/
4. A Simple SDS-PAGE Gel Recipe and 10-Step Casting Protocol for Perfect Gels. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/59429/sds-page-gel-recipe/