What is a common example of a pre-stain used before electrophoresis?

A common example of a pre-stain used before electrophoresis is EZ Vision. Pre-stains are utilized to visualize the progress of gel electrophoresis and allow researchers to monitor the migration of biomolecules through the gel matrix. EZ Vision is designed to bind specifically to nucleic acids and provide a convenient way to track these molecules during electrophoresis.

This pre-staining method helps in assessing the quality of the sample and the effectiveness of the electrophoresis technique. In contrast, some of the other choices may refer to post-staining agents or indicators that visualize the results after the electrophoresis process is completed. For example, Coomassie blue is typically used to stain proteins after they have been separated in a gel, while ethidium bromide is commonly used to intercalate DNA but is also used post-separation to visualize DNA bands in agarose gels. Fast blast, while not commonly referenced, can denote other types of staining methods outside the context of pre-staining in electrophoresis. Thus, EZ Vision's function as a pre-stain makes it a suitable choice in this scenario.