What is important to ensure when draining the chromatography column?

When draining the chromatography column, it is crucial to ensure that all liquid buffer drains out completely. This is important because any remaining liquid can dilute the sample that is later introduced and can also affect the binding and elution properties of the stationary phase within the column. If not completely drained, residual buffer may alter the concentration of the fractions collected, leading to inconsistency in results and compromising the purification process of green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Furthermore, draining the column fully helps to minimize contamination and ensures that any bound proteins or compounds interact appropriately with the washing or elution buffers that follow. This step is essential for achieving high purity levels and optimal yields of the target protein, which is critical for successful future applications or analyses.