Use of Flow Cytometry in the Evaluation of Hydroxyapatite for the Purification of Plasmid DNA

Abstract

Flow cytometry is traditionally used to analyse and or sort cells in terms of diffusion and fluorescent characteristics, whereby the analyser detects specific properties of cells such as the expression of a fluorescent protein, (e. g. GFP). Solid particles have been used in a number of applications, including the monitoring of phagocytosis (1) and immunoassay (2). We have analysed ceramic hydroxyapatite particles and investigated the binding of plasmid DNA (in the presence of ethidium bromide) to this material under different conditions. We hereby demonstrate the effectivity of cytometry in the analysis of the binding characteristics of molecules on a chromatographic stationary phase.