Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Electroforesis
Electrophoresis (eh-LEK-troh-fuh-REE-sis)
A laboratory technique that uses an electric current to separate substances, such as proteins or nucleic acids. The size and electrical charge (either positive or negative) of a substance determines how far it moves with the current. Electrophoresis may be used to help diagnosis certain diseases. There are many different types of electrophoresis.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.