Size Exclusion Chromatography

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), also called gel filtration chromatography or gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), uses porous particles to separate molecules of different sizes.  It is generally used to separate biological molecules and to determine molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of polymers.  Molecules that are smaller than the pore size can enter the particles and therefore have a longer path and longer transit time than larger molecules that cannot enter the particles.

 The Size Exclusion Chromatography kit teaches gel filtration or size exclusion chromatography and the use of this method in purification of biological samples. This method is based on separation of protein molecules based on their molecular size.  This lab activity involves running size exclusion chromatography for separation of molecules based on their molecular sizes.