Importance of separation methods to isolate biomolecules

Methods to separate or fractionate biological and biomedical samples lie at the heart of a diverse range of scientific disciplines including biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. The choice and mode of separation is important to obtain the best results and avoid artefacts. There are a number of physical and chemical separation technologies routinely used by the bioanalytical chemist that are described in this chapter and various other chapters of this textbook. 

This process is fundamentally important when considering centrifugation, but does not necessitate the use of a centrifugal force. In its most rudimentary form, molecules in solution or particles in suspensions move imder gravity to sediment (settle) at the bottom of a solution. However, there may be other external forces over that of gravity that can be applied to enhance sedimentation and yield. 

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