What is the primary purpose of chromatography?

The primary purpose of chromatography is to purify proteins on a column. This technique separates components of a mixture based on their interactions with a stationary phase and a mobile phase. In the context of protein purification, various types of chromatography (such as affinity, size-exclusion, or ion-exchange chromatography) can be employed to isolate proteins from a complex mixture, allowing researchers to obtain a more concentrated and homogeneous sample for further analysis or experimentation.

This method is essential in biochemistry and molecular biology as it enables the study of specific proteins by removing contaminants and other undesired substances that might interfere with subsequent analyses, such as enzyme activity assays or structural studies. Each type of chromatography operates on specific biochemical properties of the proteins, such as size, charge, or binding affinity, ensuring effective separation and purification.