Agarose is widely used in molecular biology for gel electrophoresis, a technique that separates DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size. It forms a porous gel matrix when dissolved in water and allowed to cool, creating a sieve-like structure. This allows smaller molecules to move faster through the gel, while larger molecules move more slowly, enabling researchers to analyze and compare samples. Agarose gels are also utilized in techniques like Southern blotting and Northern blotting for detecting specific nucleic acid sequences. Its low toxicity and ease of use make it a preferred medium in laboratories for nucleic acid separation and purification. Additionally, agarose is employed in microbiology for culturing cells and in chromatography for purifying biomolecules. Its versatility and effectiveness in these applications have made it a staple in scientific research and diagnostics.