Medical Definition of Gel filtration
1.
An important method for separating molecules according to molecular size by percolating the solution through beads of solvent permeated polymer that has pores of similar size to the solvent molecules. Unlike a continous filter that retards flow according to molecular size, separation is achieved because molecules that can enter the beads take a longer path (i.e. Are retarded) than those that cannot. Typical gels for protein separation are made from polyacrylamide or from flexible (Sephadex) or rigid (agarose, Sepharose) sugar polymers. The size separation range is determined by the degree of cross linking of the gel.
(05 May 1997)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Gel Filtration
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