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Published on: March 1, 2013
Quantitative nanoparticle organ disposition by gel permeation chromatography
Abdul Khader Mohammad1, Joshua Reineke
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 15, 2012
Summary
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), or size exclusion chromatography (SEC), purifies and characterizes polymers by size. Advanced detectors provide polymer properties and aid in nanotoxicity assessments by quantifying nanoparticle tissue deposition.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Nanotoxicology
Background:
- Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), also known as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), is a key technique for polymer analysis.
- It separates molecules based on hydrodynamic volume using porous columns.
- GPC systems are equipped with detectors like refractive index (RI), UV, or light scattering for detailed characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the versatility of GPC/SEC in polymer science.
- To explain the fundamental separation mechanism of GPC/SEC.
- To demonstrate the application of GPC/SEC in nanotoxicity studies.
Main Methods:
- Analyte dissolution in a suitable solvent.
- Injection into GPC/SEC columns packed with porous inert material.
- Detection using RI, UV, or light scattering units.
Main Results:
- Separation of synthetic and natural polymers based on hydrodynamic size.
- Characterization of polymer properties such as molecular weight distribution and branching.
- Quantitative determination of polymer nanoparticle tissue deposition in nanotoxicity studies.
Conclusions:
- GPC/SEC is a powerful tool for polymer purification, separation, and characterization.
- The technique provides critical data for understanding polymer structure and properties.
- GPC/SEC is valuable for assessing in vivo nanomaterial distribution and informing nanotoxicity risk assessments.
