An electrophoretic technique that separates proteins based on their isoelectric point (pI) using a pH gradient. Proteins migrate until they reach the pH where they have no net charge and stop moving.
Developed in the 1960s by combining the concepts of 'isoelectric point' (Greek 'isos' meaning equal) and 'focusing' from optics. The technique focuses proteins into sharp bands at their specific pH, like light focusing through a lens.
It's like each protein has its own personal pH address where it feels perfectly balanced and stops moving! This creates incredibly sharp bands because any protein that drifts away from its pI immediately gets pulled back by the electric field.
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