Acrylamide is a chemical compound used to create polyacrylamide gels, which are commonly employed in techniques like gel electrophoresis for separating proteins or nucleic acids. When combined with a crosslinking agent (typically bis-acrylamide), acrylamide forms a gel matrix that allows for the resolution of molecules based on size. Acrylamide is also a potential neurotoxin and carcinogen, so it must be handled with care in laboratory settings.