What is the primary goal in the purification process of GFP?

The primary goal in the purification process of GFP is to separate GFP from other bacterial proteins. This process is crucial because GFP is often expressed within bacterial cells, and during extraction, it needs to be isolated from the multitude of other proteins present within the bacterial lysate. Achieving a high level of purity is essential for accurate characterization of GFP's properties, such as its fluorescence. If the GFP cannot be effectively separated from other proteins, it can lead to contamination that affects the fluorescence properties and the experimental outcomes. Successful purification typically involves techniques such as affinity chromatography, whereby specific binding interactions can be leveraged to isolate the GFP from the remaining cellular components.