Monolithic media for applications in affinity chromatography.

Affinity chromatography presents a highly versatile analytical tool, which relies on exploiting highly specific interactions between molecules and their ligands. This review covers the most recent literature on the application of monoliths as stationary phases for various affinity-based chromatographic applications. Different affinity approaches as well as separations using molecularly imprinted monoliths are discussed. Hybrid stationary phases created by embedding of particles or nanoparticles into a monolithic stationary phase are also considered in this review article. The ease of preparation of monoliths and the multitude of functionalization techniques, which have matured during the past years, make monoliths interesting for an increasing number of biochemical and medical applications.