Austin, TX – February 16, 2010- Dr. C. Patrick McAtee published a new chapter titled “Displacement Chromatography of Proteins,” in the February issue of Current Protocols in Protein Science. In the section, Dr. McAtee discusses the important parameters in designing and optimizing a separation using displacement mode ion-exchange chromatography.
Displacement chromatography is a different mode of operation for column chromatography. The basic principle of
displacement chromatography is based on competitive binding of the analytes – a molecule with a high affinity for the displacer will compete for space in the chromatography column and thus displace all molecules with lesser affinities. The molecules with the weakest interactions are displaced faster than the molecules that have a stronger interaction with the column and are forced to migrate down the column by the advancing molecule with higher affinity for the stationary phase. The analytes come off the column as rectangular bands. Because of this “forced migration,” higher product concentration and purities can be obtained compared to other modes of chromatography.
“The displacement process is well-suited for obtaining preparative quantities of purified proteins in a single analytical run. It is also particularly well-suited for enriching trace components in the feed which can be found in the transition zones between the purified “rectangular” components,” commented Dr. McAtee. In many cases, displacement mode chromatography can find trace components that other methods cannot detect. For this reason displacement chromatography is used in Quality by Design programs (see News Release: SACHEM Displacers Highlighted at PREP 2009).
SACHEM offers a full line of displacers including ExpellTM, IsolisTM and PropellTM. SACHEM also provides e-learning seminars and on-site consulting support to familiarize our customers with displacement chromatography.
