Analytical and preparative methods for purification of antibodies

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies play a key role in medicine as well as in analytical biotechnology. After being used predominantly for analytical purposes over the last 20 years, the number of therapeutical applications is growing fast. This review describes methods for purification of antibodi es on an analytical scale in the laboratory, as well as on a preparative sc ale in industrial production. The classical methods of precipitation and th e modern chromatographic methods are described. Methods of precipitation ar e still widely used in the production of immunoglobulins G (IgG) from human plasma. The chromatographic methods, often in combination with precipitati on for the sake of initial purification, are the almost exclusively used me thods in the production of monoclonal antibodies. The chromatographic metho ds are sub-divided into non-affinity and affinity modes. The most widely us ed methods are presented and discussed.