Pulsed field gel electrophoresis: studies of DNA migration made with the programmable, autonomously-controlled electrode electrophoresis system

We have studied the migration of DNA in pulsed field agarose gels under a variety of electrophoresis conditions. We have made use of an instrument which can generate electric fields of any orientation, magnitude, or duration to compare different separation techniques for DNA molecules of from 1 to several thousand kilobase pairs. We discuss the capabilities of the system and present results of gel runs in which electrophoresis conditions were changed individually or in combination. The mobility of DNA in pulsed field gels is shown to reflect a number of interdependent physical parameters.