The objective of this proposal is to test the concept of using paratope analogs of proteins as ligands in liquid chromatography. Preliminary experiments have shown that short peptides may serve as analogs of paratopes (binding sites of antibodies) and can bind proteins at a level high enough above background to be reliably detected. The specificity of these interactions is, however, not known. The proposed research will determine whether these analogs can be used in liquid chromatographic separations. If successful, these ligands will facilitate the separation and isolation of proteins in biochemical and medical research, in pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and in quality control of therapeutic proteins. The benefits could be immense.
