Size-exclusion chromatography system for macromolecular interaction analysis

Apparatus for determining the extent of interaction between a first macromolecular solute and a second macromolecular solute, said apparatus comprising:

• a chromatographic column;
• first means for introducing the first and second macromolecular solutes into said chromatographic column;
• second means for measuring the concentrations in said chromatographic column of the first and second macromolecular solutes as well as the concentration of a complex formed by said first and second macromolecular solutes and generating an experimental delta function representing the difference between the concentration of said complex and the sum of the concentrations of said first and second macromolecular solutes;
• third means for generating a plurality of simulated delta functions corresponding to a range of association coefficients representing a range of degrees of interaction under various conditions between the first and second macromolecular solutes in forming said complex;
• and
• fourth means coupled to said second and third means for comparing said experimental delta function with said plurality of simulated delta functions in correlating the measured concentrations of the first and second macromolecular solutes with said range of association coefficients for determining the extent of interaction between the first and second macromolecular solutes.