Concentration and Purification of Viruses

Two-phase extraction has found its platform in several aspects of virus research. With the rapid development of rational design systems for the production of biotechnology products (1 ), development of large-scale systems (see Chapter 36) and methods to recycle the polymers (see Chapter 32), the extraction in aqueous two-phase systems appears as one of the more attractive methods for recovery of viruses and other biological particles. Among available methods for virus concentration and purification, there are some fields where this technique is one of the most powerful of those available. It needs no elaborate equipment and adapts well to scaling up. Close to physiological conditions can be maintained, and at the same time, this system has a strong resolving power with just a few steps in the procedure.