Also known as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). A surfactant commonly used in biochemical and biotechnological applications for the solubilization of membrane components and hardto-solubilize (dissolve) molecules. For example, it is often utilized at high concentration in water solution (e.g., along with potassium acetate) to dissolve plant DNA samples (e.g., when a scientist wants to sequence that sample of plant DNA). The SDS/PA in water solution helps the scientist to separate out contaminants that are commonly present in samples from plant tissues (i.e., polysaccharides, proteins, etc.) because DNA molecules are much more soluble in SDS/PA solution than are those contaminant molecules. Above a critical concentration (CMC), SDS forms micelles in water which are thought to be responsible for its solubilizing action. SDS is also used in such items as shampoo.