How is the presence of GFP typically confirmed in an elution sample?

The presence of GFP in an elution sample is typically confirmed by fluorescent detection or SDS-PAGE analysis. Fluorescent detection is particularly important because GFP is known for its fluorescent properties; when exposed to specific wavelengths of light, GFP emits a bright green fluorescence, which can be easily observed. This fluorescence confirms that GFP is present in the sample.

SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) is used to analyze the size and purity of proteins. By running the eluted sample through an SDS-PAGE gel, one can determine if the protein of interest, in this case, GFP, is present and assess its molecular weight. If the sample contains GFP, one would expect to see a band corresponding to its size when stained after electrophoresis.

The combination of these two techniques allows for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of GFP in the elution sample, making it a reliable method for confirming the presence of the protein in the context of purification processes.