This fast and easy activity acquaints students with electrophoresis using inexpensive dyes.

• Kit employs colorful dyes to simulate DNA
• Materials for six lab groups
• Time required: approximately 30 minutes
• Teacher's guide included

This lab activity helps students become accustomed to the electrophoresis process before they work with DNA. They use specially formulated dyes, which charge and separate based on their molecular size when electrophoresed, on an agarose gel; students then determine the missing dye component in a mixture.