Modelling Affinity Chromatography

Abstract

Affinity chromatography plays a significant role in the separation and purification of biologically active macromolecules in laboratory and large-scale applications. There is a need for models which could be used to predict accurately the dynamic behavior of affinity chromatography separations, in order to permit the design, optimization, control, and process scale-up of affinity chromatography systems. Furthermore, the construction and use of such models will contribute to a better fundamental understanding of the physicochemical and biospecific mechanisms involved in affinity chromatography processes. The parameters of the models should be obtainable by using information from a small number of experiments.

This work reviews the modeling of affinity chromatography, and presents general models that could be used to describe the dynamic behavior of the adsorption, wash, and elution stages of affinity chromatography systems. Certain model structures, modeling approaches and operational strategies for systems having porous or nonporous adsorbent particles are also suggested, and experiments are proposed whose data are necessary for parameter estimation and model discrimination studies in affinity chromatography.

Particular emphasis is given to :he modeling of the intrinsic mechanisms of intraparticle diffusion, adsorption, and desorption, because the intrinsic mechanisms are normally independent of the mode of operation (i.e., batch, fixed bed, fluidized bed, continuous countercurrent, or others).