What type of chromatography involves using specific antibodies for purification?

Immunoaffinity chromatography is a specialized type of affinity chromatography that specifically involves the use of antibodies to capture and purify a target protein. In this technique, antibodies that are specific to the protein of interest are immobilized on a solid support, typically in a column format. When a mixture that contains the target protein is passed through this column, the antibodies bind to the target protein, effectively separating it from other components that do not interact with the antibodies.

This method is highly selective, as it relies on the specific binding affinity between the antibody and the antigen (the target protein), making it a powerful approach for purifying proteins with high specificity and efficiency. The strength and specificity of this interaction allow for the purification of proteins even in complex mixtures, reducing the need for extensive downstream processing.

Other chromatography methods, such as size exclusion chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, use different principles for separation that do not involve the use of antibodies. While affinity chromatography is a broader category, immunoaffinity chromatography specifies the use of antibodies, which is what distinguishes it in this context.