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Chromatography of Synthetic and Biological Polymers
Journal of Molecular Structure, 53 (1979) 155--156 © Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands
Book reviews
Chromatography of Synthetic and Biological Polymers, Vol. 1, Column packings, GPC, GF and Gradient Elution; Vol. 2, Hydrophobic, IonExchange and Affinity Methods, edited by R. Epton, The Chemical Society Macromolecular Group, Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1978, Vol. 1, pp. ix + 368; Vol. 2, pp. vii + 353, price Vol. 1 £18.00, Vol. 2 £18.50. This extensive two-volume companion set comprises a series of articles edited by Dr. R. Epton of the Department of Physical Sciences, Wolverhampton Polytechnic. The papers were originally given at a symposium in the University of Birmingham in 1976. It is a welcome addition to the literature pertaining to a rapidly developing area in experimental biochemistry. Volume 1, dealing with methods applicable to synthetic polymers, is highly specialised and as such will probably not be of general use. The article by J. Porath (University of Uppsala) does, however, provide a stimulating introduction. Volume 1 provides a comprehensive survey of recent developments in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and gel filtration (GF). This volume tends to concentrate too much on the theory of the methods concerned and the actual practical details suffer somewhat in consequence. Important instrumental innovations are described in some detail. Volume 2, in three parts, deals with (1) the relatively new technique of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, (2) ion-exchange methods applied to macromolecule biochemistry, and (3) affinity chromatography, the latter being covered in a particularly exhaustive treatment. This volume is concerned with methods used by protein chemists and should prove to be a useful manual and laboratory guide as well as an invaluable reference work for lecturers. Although chromatographic separation is now a familiar technique in daily use in University and industrial biochemical laboratories, the variety and potential of the methods described here will surprise many workers employing routine methods devoted to their own research areas; particularly now, in such fields as protein crystallography, where many graduate workers requiring a knowledge of physical biochemistry have no prior training in this discipline. The articles are uniformly edited, clearly presented and contain useful summary and reference sections. The authors of the 28 articles in Volume 1 and 29 articles in Volume 2 are experts drawn from both industrial and academic spheres, and the books are well set out and illustrated. Most articles are well referenced but the index is somewhat scanty, which may be a disadvantage for teaching purposes. Research workers, lecturers and postgraduate students will benefit from these volumes, which should contribute greatly to improvements in laboratory practice and methodology. R. A. P.
Book reviews
Chromatography of Synthetic and Biological Polymers, Vol. 1, Column packings, GPC, GF and Gradient Elution; Vol. 2, Hydrophobic, IonExchange and Affinity Methods, edited by R. Epton, The Chemical Society Macromolecular Group, Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1978, Vol. 1, pp. ix + 368; Vol. 2, pp. vii + 353, price Vol. 1 £18.00, Vol. 2 £18.50. This extensive two-volume companion set comprises a series of articles edited by Dr. R. Epton of the Department of Physical Sciences, Wolverhampton Polytechnic. The papers were originally given at a symposium in the University of Birmingham in 1976. It is a welcome addition to the literature pertaining to a rapidly developing area in experimental biochemistry. Volume 1, dealing with methods applicable to synthetic polymers, is highly specialised and as such will probably not be of general use. The article by J. Porath (University of Uppsala) does, however, provide a stimulating introduction. Volume 1 provides a comprehensive survey of recent developments in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and gel filtration (GF). This volume tends to concentrate too much on the theory of the methods concerned and the actual practical details suffer somewhat in consequence. Important instrumental innovations are described in some detail. Volume 2, in three parts, deals with (1) the relatively new technique of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, (2) ion-exchange methods applied to macromolecule biochemistry, and (3) affinity chromatography, the latter being covered in a particularly exhaustive treatment. This volume is concerned with methods used by protein chemists and should prove to be a useful manual and laboratory guide as well as an invaluable reference work for lecturers. Although chromatographic separation is now a familiar technique in daily use in University and industrial biochemical laboratories, the variety and potential of the methods described here will surprise many workers employing routine methods devoted to their own research areas; particularly now, in such fields as protein crystallography, where many graduate workers requiring a knowledge of physical biochemistry have no prior training in this discipline. The articles are uniformly edited, clearly presented and contain useful summary and reference sections. The authors of the 28 articles in Volume 1 and 29 articles in Volume 2 are experts drawn from both industrial and academic spheres, and the books are well set out and illustrated. Most articles are well referenced but the index is somewhat scanty, which may be a disadvantage for teaching purposes. Research workers, lecturers and postgraduate students will benefit from these volumes, which should contribute greatly to improvements in laboratory practice and methodology. R. A. P.