The ability of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) to measure critical protein characteristics, such as molecular weight and size, makes the technique valuable from the early stages of novel protein research and development through to formulation and manufacturing support, especially in oligomeric purity and aggregation studies. However, informational output, ease of analysis, and sample requirements all vary considerably depending on whether a system has been truly optimized for protein characterization. This article examines how SEC works and considers how to maximize the productivity, sensitivity, and value of an SEC setup for biopharmaceutical development.
