ABSTRACT
Affinity chromatography is a separation technique that makes use of a ligand possessing a unique and specific affinity for an analyte [1]. Because of the extraordinary ability of biological ligands to discriminate between very similar compounds in their interactions, affinity separations that use such ligands have a high degree of selectivity. This is particularly advantageous in biotechnology, where a specific protein, usually present in a complex mixture, is often the desired target. Although other techniques are capable of complex separations, few if any are as rapid and selective as affinity chromatography. Other advantages of affinity chromatography for such work include its need for little or no sample preparation and its ability to select for biological activity.
