The structural and functional study of the proteins expressed by a genome is called proteomics. This relatively novel science uses different methodologies in order to separate and identify specific proteins of interest. Among these techniques, SDS-PAGE plays an essential role due to its high sensitivity, low sample volume requirement, and high popularity. Negatively charged proteins migrate towards the positive electrode according to their size and charge. Smaller proteins migrate further in a given amount of time. As proteins are separated in this manner, users load molecular weight standards to estimate the size (in kDa) of the proteins present in their sample. Once the proteins of a single sample have been isolated and are embedded in the polyacrylamide (PA) gel matrix, staining procedures are used to visualize them.

Organic dyes, such as Coomassie blue, can be used for this purpose; nevertheless, their low sensitivity and a detection range that goes from 1 to 50 ng can be a challenge for detecting low abundance proteins (Jin, Huang, Yoo, & Choi, 2006). A higher sensitivity can be achieved by fluorescent staining techniques (from 0.1 to 10 ng.); however, UV instruments are necessary in order to read the data (Jin et al., 2006). The most sensitive method up to date is radiolabeling, but the requirement of hazardous isotopes and their complex management makes it a complicated procedure (Jin et al., 2006). Silver staining is a method that offers great sensitivity and an easy to handle protocol, thus making it one of the most commonly used staining methods.

Mauris interdum fringilla augue vitae tincidunt. Curabitur vitae tortor id eros euismod ultrices. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Praesent nulla mi, rutrum ut feugiat at, vestibulum ut neque? Cras tincidunt enim vel aliquet facilisis. Duis congue ullamcorper vehicula. Proin nunc lacus, semper sit amet elit sit amet, aliquet pulvinar erat. Nunc pretium quis sapien eu rhoncus. Suspendisse ornare gravida mi, et placerat tellus tempor vitae.

Mauris interdum fringilla augue vitae tincidunt. Curabitur vitae tortor id eros euismod ultrices. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Praesent nulla mi, rutrum ut feugiat at, vestibulum ut neque? Cras tincidunt enim vel aliquet facilisis. Duis congue ullamcorper vehicula. Proin nunc lacus, semper sit amet elit sit amet, aliquet pulvinar erat. Nunc pretium quis sapien eu rhoncus. Suspendisse ornare gravida mi, et placerat tellus tempor vitae.