Heparin Agarose Resin

Heparin agarose resin is an affinity chromatography medium used for the purification of heparin-binding proteins. The resin consists of heparin—a highly sulfated, negatively charged glycosaminoglycan—covalently coupled to a cross-linked agarose bead support. Heparin functions in two complementary ways: as a specific affinity ligand that mimics the natural binding partners of many proteins (such as heparin/heparan-sulfate-binding sites), and as a high-capacity cation exchanger owing to its dense array of sulfate and carboxyl groups. This dual character allows heparin agarose to capture a broad range of targets, including coagulation factors (e.g., antithrombin III, thrombin), growth factors (e.g., FGF, VEGF), nucleic-acid-binding proteins (DNA/RNA polymerases, transcription factors, restriction enzymes), lipoproteins, and other DNA-binding and extracellular-matrix-associated proteins. BiCell Scientific’s heparin affinity resin uses 4% highly cross-linked agarose matrix with a mean size of 90 μm and capable of operating under 0.1 MPa (1 bar/14.5 psi). The hydrophilic nature of the matrix ensures low levels of non-specific binding leading to low levels of host cell-derived impurities in the elution pool. This resin binds >2 mg antithrombin III/mL resin and is suitable for use in batch mode, with gravity flow, or using a chromatography system.