Principle : The size exclusion chromatography (sec), also known by gel permeation chromatography (gpc) , is a technique of liquid chromatography characterization that allows for the separation of biological macromolecules in solution according to their sizes (volume hydrodynamics) and their structures. it is based on the principle of sieving molecular.
Depending on their size, the molecules eluted may more or less penetrate into the pores of the stationary phase, a polymer gel which is filled in the columns. thus, the molecules the smaller ones are more retained than the larger, where a retention time longer for the first than for the second. each column has a domain of specific separation: the macromolecules of which the volume hydrodynamics is too important elected in the dead volume, while those that are too small elected with the eluent at the end of injection.