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Affinity Chromatography

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

  • 228 Accesses

Definition

Affinity chromatography is a (bio-) chemical separation method based on highly specific molecular interactions (affinity) such as between antigens and antibodies, enzymes and substrates, or receptors and ligands. The stationary phase is commonly composed of beads of a gel (e.g., agarose gel) with a covalently bound ligand (e.g., an antibody). Affinity chromatography is currently one of the most powerful separation methods, as it combines the size fractionation capability of gel permeation chromatography with specific, reversible interactions of molecules.

History

The method was introduced by P. Cuatrecasas, M. Wilchek, and C.B. Anfinsen in 1968 (Cuatrecasas et al. 1968). Pedro Cuatrecasas and Meir Wilchek were jointly rewarded the Wolf Prize in Medicine 1987 for this discovery.

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References and Further Reading

  • Cuatrecasas P, Wilchek M, Anfinsen CB (1968) Selective enzyme purification by affinity chromatography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 61:636–643. doi:10.1073/pnas.61.2.636

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    Mark Dörr

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  1. Mark Dörr
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Correspondence to Mark Dörr .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  2. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  3. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    William M. Irvine

  6. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Dörr, M. (2014). Affinity Chromatography. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_39-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_39-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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