Affinity chromatography is unique in purification technology since it is the only technique that enables the purification of a biomolecule on the basis of its biological function or individual chemical structure. Purification that would otherwise be time-consuming, difficult or even impossible using other techniques can often be easily achieved with affinity chromatography.
Chromatography is an important biophysical technique that enables the separation, identification, and purification of the components of a mixture for qualitative and quantitative analysis. It is a separation technique in which a mobile phase carrying a mixture is caused to move in contact with a selectively absorbent stationary phase. Affinity chromatography is a type of liquid chromatography for the separation, purification or specific analysis of sample components. It utilizes the reversible biological interaction or molecular recognition called affinity which refers to the attracting forced exerted in different degrees between atoms which cause them to remain in combination.