Web-based applet is a learning tool that simulates ion-exchange chromatography purification of overexpressed proteins from Escherichia coli cell lysate

摘要

A Java Web applet is described that helps biochemistry students learn how varying ionic strength and pH can affect separation of proteins in an ion-exchange chromatography experiment. The applet simulates a common scenario: a foreign protein is overexpressed in bacteria and needs to be isolated from the other water-soluble proteins of the cell lysate. It allows visualization of proteins on the column, a protein output graph (absorbance at 280 nm), and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of selected output fractions.