AN8002: Reverse-Phase/MALS Characterization of Protein Oligomers – Fibroblast Growth Factor

Reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) represents one of the most popular applications of HPLC, with particular importance for protein characterization. Because elution depends on the hydrophobicity of the sample, it is generally impossible to identify the separated products on the basis of their elution time (volume). Frequently, each eluted fraction must be isolated further and analyzed with other techniques in order to gain some understanding of the molecular behavior of the protein.

Adding a DAWN^® or miniDAWN^® multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector to one’s HPLC system, however, simplifies protein identification significantly. It allows one to measure absolute molar masses directly, irrespective of retention time, and to observe the properties of the protein in solution.