Applications of computer algebra to affinity-binding equations

In this paper we apply computer algebra to obtain information on the influence of free ligand concentration on the capacity of an affinity chromatography matrix when the protein to be absorbed shows cooperative binding. In the case of a dimeric protein, we derive, in particular, an explicit expression for the (total) concentration of soluble ligand that resultsin maximum binding to the matrix. In the case of a tetrameric protein, we derive an expression that relates the yield to the parameters of the system and solve it numerically.