Article
Program for Simulating Gel Electrophoresis of Enzyme-Digested Proteins
Journal of Chemical Education
(2018)
Abstract
A new program, ECEP2D, for simulating the one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) patterns of the gel electrophoresis of a protein after it has been digested by one or more enzymes is introduced. With ECEP2D, students can gain deeper insights into gel electrophoresis by performing hands-on simulations. For example, students can visualize how 2D gel electrophoresis can improve resolution over 1D by comparing them side-by-side. Students can watch how different enzymes cut a protein into different fragments, giving rise to different gel patterns; some patterns are less congested than the others. Students can recognize how enzyme digestion can enhance gel electrophoresis to distinguish proteins. For students not having the chance to take biochemistry laboratories, ECEP2D provides a useful simulated learning environment. Instructors can also complement wet-lab experiments with simulations by ECEP2D to introduce more concepts with fewer laboratory hours. ECEP2D is available for free at http://www.umsl.edu/~wongch/software.html.
Keywords
- Upper-Division Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Biochemistry Computer-Based Learning Electrophoresis Enzymes Proteins/Peptides
Disciplines
Publication Date
September 14, 2018
DOI
10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00225
Citation Information
Howard Mayes and Chung F. Wong. "Program for Simulating Gel Electrophoresis of Enzyme-Digested Proteins" Journal of Chemical Education (2018) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chung-wong/72/