Affinity chromatography is a biochemical separation method that combines size fractionation capability of gel permeation chromatography with the ability to design a stationary phase that reversibly binds to a known subset of molecules. This method is usually used to:
* Purify and concentrate a molecule from a mixture into a buffering solution.
* Reduce the amount of a molecule in a mixture.

Affinity chromatography can be used in a number of applications, including nucleic acid purification, protein purification from cell free extracts and antibody purification from blood serum.

Affinity chromatography is a method of separating biochemical mixtures, based on a highly specific biological interaction such as that between antigen and antibody, enzyme and substrate, or receptor and ligand. Affinity chromatography combines the size fractionation capability of gel permeation chromatography with the ability to design a Chromatography that reversibly binds to a known subset of molecules. The method was by Cuatrecasas P, Wilchek M,and Meir Wilchek for which the Wolf Prize in Medicine was awarded in 1987. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, affinity chromatography has been the means by which many scientists from different disciplines have been introduced to the fields of modern biology.