Protein purification: Basic principles and techniques

Purification of proteins, including those obtained through recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid technology, is an important task. It leads to homogenous protein preparations that find wide applications in fields that include but are not limited to medicine and health. The aim of the present chapter is to provide a bird’s eye view on various aspects related to protein purification. It starts with discussion on the need of protein purification and determination of a protein’s identity. Thereafter, the basic principles of protein purification are highlighted. The summarized information (along with the relevant figures) presented here is expected to provide a basis for readers, novice in the field of biochemical techniques, to understand and grasp the underlying concepts of chromatography and electrophoresis. The use of automated protein purification systems at the laboratory scale is also discussed. In the end, alternative test systems for purifying proteins are described briefly, followed by a quick examination of the importance of the recombinant protein market.