Chromatography: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Chromatography

Chromatography is a way of separating two or more chemical compounds, such as proteins. There are different kinds of chromatography such as gas, high pressure liquid, or ion exchange chromatography.

In general, chromatography takes advantage of the differences in the chemicals you want to separate, such as their size, electric charge, or ability to stick to (bind) to material.

Update Date: 8/11/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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