Downstream Processing (DSP)

Definition

Once the protein molecule has been produced, it must be harvested, isolated and purified from the complex mixture of host cell proteins, cells, cell debris, nutrients and waste materials. Chromatographic separation steps are widely used; based on separation principles of charge, size or hydrophobicity of the protein, or by specific affinity to the chromatographic resin. A wide range of filtration techniques are used to separate the protein from the remaining solids, remove impurities and exchange buffers.