Affinity Chromatography Method

Affinity chromatography is a separation method based on a specific binding interaction between an immobilized ligand and its binding partner. Examples include antibody/antigen, enzyme/substrate, and enzyme/inhibitor interactions. The principle of affinity chromatography is that the stationary phase consists of a support medium on which the substrate has been bound covalently, in such a way that the reactive groups that are essential for enzyme binding are exposed. Affinity chromatography has long been a popular tool for the isolation, measurement, and characterization of specific targets in complex samples. It is one of the most diverse and powerful chromatographic methods for purification of a specific molecule or a group of molecules from complex mixtures.