An introduction to monolithic disks as stationary phases for high performance biochromatography

Monolithic stationary phases have revolutionized protein chromatography bec ause they combine speed, capacity, and resolution in a unique manner. Since such stationary phases contain no particles but only flow-through pores, t he usual mass transfer restrictions to the chromatography of large molecule s are not observed and extremely fast separations become possible. Recently the area of application of monolith chromatography has been extended to th e separation and analysis of small molecules and plasmid DNA, This review s ummarizes the state of art in high performance monolith and especially high performance monolithic disk chromatography (HPMDC). The current understand ing of the theory of protein HPMDC is summarized, while an introduction to the evolving field of small molecule HPMDC is attempted. The basic differen ces between the monolithic disks and columns packed with conventional stati onary phases (including perfusion and micropellicular particles) but also m onolithic columns (porous rods) are outlined. Finally, the potential of HPM DC to analytical and preparative biochromatography is demonstrated by a dis cussion of recent applications of chromatographic disks for protein isolati on and bioprocess analysis.