Breakthrough technology quickly separates large proteins and viruses from their surroundings
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 07:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Researchers looking to isolate individual proteins from complex environments usually turn to chromatography, a technique where mobile solutions of biomolecules flow through columns packed with solid, porous particles. Separation occurs when attractive chemical forces cause the molecules to adsorb onto the solid while contaminants pass through. Despite major progress, however, chromatographic purification of viruses and other large biomolecules remains challenging: their spatial heft makes it hard for them to diffuse through columns in a reasonable amount of time.