Protein electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate proteins based on their size and charge. In this process, a sample containing proteins is placed in a gel matrix and subjected to an electric field. The proteins migrate through the gel at different rates, allowing for their separation. After the separation, the proteins can be visualized using various staining methods. This technique is commonly used in research and clinical laboratories to analyze protein composition, diagnose diseases, and assess the purity of protein samples. It plays a crucial role in fields like biochemistry and molecular biology.