Partitioning in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems: Theory, Methods, Uses, and Applications to Biotechnology is a collection of papers that discusses the applications of aqueous two-phase systems to problems of separation and extraction of macromolecules, organelles, and cells. Papers focus on the theoretical basis and the practical details of the procedures used. Some of the papers describe in one or a few steps how two components can be separated by the investigator manipulating their partitions so that one component is in one phase and the other component is in the other phase or at the interface. Investigators can also avail of developed batch extractions for plant organelles, cell membranes, nucleic acids, and proteins. The book cites as an example the partitioning of right-side-out and inside-out vesicles (obtained from fragments of thylakoid membranes) to the top and bottom phases, respectively, of a Dx-PEG system. Other papers describe the use of the countercurrent distribution when single extraction steps are not sufficient to produce a separation in materials that do not differ greatly in their partitioning behavior. The collection can prove valuable for bio-chemists, cellular biologists, micro-biologists, and developmental biologists.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Preface Abbreviations and Conventions 1 History of Aqueous Polymer Two-Phase Partition Text References 2 Theoretical Aspects of Partitioning I. Properties of Polymers II. Phase Separation III. Theory of Partitioning References 3 Preparation of Phase Systems and Measurement of Their Physicochemical Properties I. Introduction II. Preparation of Phase Systems III. Single-Step Partition Experiments IV. Measurement of Physicochemical Properties of Phase Systems References 4 Thin-Layer Countercurrent Distribution and Apparatus I. Introduction II. Principles of Countercurrent Distribution III. Phase System Selection IV. Countercurrent Distribution of Particulate Samples V. Thin-Layer Countercurrent Distribution Apparatus References 5 Other Types of Countercurrent Distribution Apparatus and Continuous Flow Chromatography Techniques I. Introduction II. Enhanced Gravity Countercurrent Distribution III. Column Chromatography IV. Countercurrent Chromatography V. Emerging Techniques VI. Commercial Availability References 6 Partitioning of Proteins I. Introduction II. Properties Determining the Partitioning Behavior of Proteins III. Practical Procedures Used in Partitioning Proteins IV. Practical Aspects of Protein Extraction V. Multistep Extraction Procedures VI. Analytical Applications VII. Specific Studies References 7 Partitioning of Nucleic Acids I. Introductory Remarks II. General Behavior of Nucleic Acids in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems III. Isolation and Fractionation of Nucleic Acids in Aqueous Two-Phase Polymer Systems IV. Fractionation of Chromosomes by Partitioning in Poly(ethylene Glycol)-Dextran Systems V. Applications of Partitioning for Studying Nucleic Acid-Ligand Interactions References 8 Interacting Systems and Binding Studied by Partitioning I. Introduction II. Theory III. Examples IV. Conclusion References 9 Steroid Receptors and Steroid-Binding Plasma Proteins Studied by Partitioning I. Biological Functions of Steroid-Binding Proteins II. Use of Partitioning for Studying Steroid-Protein Binding III. Use of Partitioning for Studying Molecular Conversions of Glucocorticoid-Receptor Complexes References 10 Surface Properties of Cells Reflected by Partitioning: Red Blood Cells as a Model I. Introduction II. What Red Blood Cells Taught Us About Phase Systems III. What Phase Systems Taught Us About Red Blood Cells IV. Comments on Dextran-Ficoll Aqueous Phase Systems V. Conclusion References 11 Separation and Subfractionation of Selected Mammalian Cell Populations I. Introduction II. Separation and Subfractionation of Blood Elements III. Partitioning of Bone Marrow Cells: Cells Containing Hemoglobin IV. Fractionation of Lymphoid Cells from Spleen and Other Tissues V. Tissue Cells VI. Tissue Culture Cells VII. Conclusion References 12 Partitioning of Bacteria, Virus, and Phage I. Introduction II. Aqueous Two-Phase Partitioning of Bacteria III. Aqueous Two-Phase Partitioning of Virus and Phage IV. Summary References 13 Partitioning of Animal Membranes and Organelles I. Introduction II. Relevant Principles in Phase Partitioning as Applied to Cell Particles III. Preparative and Semipreparative Procedures IV. Analytical Phase Partitioning Procedures: Application to Membrane Fragments and Organelles V. Conclusions References 14 Partitioning of Plant Cells, Cell Walls, Membranes, and Organelles I. Cells and Cell Walls II. Protoplasts III. Plasma Membranes IV. Intact Chloroplasts V. Leaf Mitochondria VI. Separation of Right-Side-Out and Inside-Out Membrane Vesicles VII. Concluding Remarks References 15 Applications of Phase Partitioning in Biotechnology I. Introduction II. Enzyme Purification by Liquid-Liquid Extraction in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems III. Extractive Bioconversions in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems IV. Additional Preparative Applications Appendix: Analysis of PEG-Salt Systems References 16 Polymer-Ligands Used in Affinity Partitioning and Their Synthesis I. Introduction II. General Chemistry of Poly(ethylene Glycol) III. Synthesis of Poly(ethylene Glycol) Derivatives IV. Selected Poly(ethylene Glycol) Derivatives for Affinity Partitioning V. General Chemistry of Dextran VI. Synthesis of Dextran Derivatives VII. Selected Dextran Derivatives for Affinity Partitioning References 17 Partitioning: A Comprehensive Bibliography Text Bibliography Addendum 1961-1983 Addendum 1984-1985 Index