This program is extremely helpful for beginners in the art of protein purification. It gives them a chance to get beyond the details of individual techniques and get a sense of the overall process of a protein purification strategy.
Users try their hand at purifying a particular protein while balancing purity, yield and cost.
Windows and Mac versions are available, or the software may be used on-line. We work with the computer simulation again at the end of the course, after the students' protein purification project is complete. This second exercise reinforces concepts that they have learned and illustrates that there are separation methods other than those used in class. Once students understand the general layout of the program, they may begin the actual purification. There is also an option to save an ongoing purification and then later return to the stored material.