title: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).
abstract: Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) is a technique used to separate short- to medium-length DNA fragments based on their melting characteristics. It has been used frequently for identifying single-nucleotide polymorphisms without the need for DNA sequencing and as a molecular fingerprinting method for complex ecosystem communities, in particular in conjunction with amplification of microbial 16S rRNA genes. Here, the principles of DGGE, based on partial DNA strand separation at a given position in a gradient of chemical denaturant, are described, and an example protocol, optimized for fingerprinting of 200-300 bp fragments of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, is given.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Strathdee
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Free
mesh_terms: D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058645:Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S