IEX Columns and Accessories - YMC-BioPro IEX
High-Performance Columns for Charge-Based Separations of Biomolecules and Small Molecules
Ion exchange (IEX) chromatography is a powerful technique that separates molecules based on their surface charge. The stationary phase contains charged functional groups that interact electrostatically with oppositely charged analytes.
- In cation exchange chromatography (CEX), positively charged molecules bind to a negatively charged stationary phase.
- In anion exchange chromatography (AEX), negatively charged molecules bind to a positively charged stationary phase.
IEX is widely applied to the purification of proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and charged small molecules. By fine-tuning parameters such as pH, buffer composition, and salt gradient, researchers can precisely control selectivity, resolution, and elution profiles for optimal separation performance.
YMC’s BioPro IEX and BioLC column families deliver reliable, high-resolution separations from analytical to preparative scale.

Column Types
YMC-BioPro IEX columns are available with porous and non-porous particles for strong anion exchange (SAX) and strong cation exchange (SCX).
Columns packed with the porous materials (QA & SP) are advantageous for high-load analytical separations and laboratory-scale purification as they maintain strong peak shape even with increased load.
The non-porous formats (QF & SF) are highly efficient, and are therefore ideal for high-throughput analytical separations requiring high resolution.
SAX Columns
| Product Name | BioPro IEX QA | BioPro IEX QF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charged Group | -CH2N+(CH3)3 | -CH2N+(CH3)3 | |
| Porosity | Porous | Non-porous | |
| pH Range | 2-12 | 2-12 | |
| Particle Size | 5µm | 3µm, 5µm | 6µm |
| Available Column Formats | PEEK Hardware (Analytical) | PEEK Hardware (Analytical) | Stainless Steel Hardware (Prep) |
SCX Columns
| Product Name | BioPro IEX SP | BioPro IEX SF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charged Group | -CH2CH2CH2SO3– | -CH2CH2CH2SO3– | |
| Porosity | Porous | Non-porous | |
| pH Range | 2-12 | 2-12 | |
| Particle Size | 5µm | 3µm, 5µm | 6µm |
| Available Column Formats | PEEK Hardware (Analytical) | PEEK Hardware (Analytical) | Stainless Steel Hardware (Prep) |
Bulk Resin
YMC-BioPro IEX Resins
One of the advantages of YMC’s BioPro IEX resins is that they are fully scalable, exhibiting consistent chromatographic behavior across all particle sizes. Preparative grade resins with 10 – 75 μm particles are available in mL and L quantities.
YMC-BioPro IEX SmartSep Q/S (10, 20, or 30 μm), which show high resolution and recovery even at a high flow rate and high loading condition, are suitable for an intermediate purification step and a polishing step of mAbs, proteins, peptides, and oligonucleotides. YMC-BioPro IEX Q/S (75 μm) are designed for capture and intermediate purification of biopharmaceuticals.

Screening Kits & MiniChrom® Columns
YMC-BioPro IEX Screening Kits
YMC-BioPro IEX Screening Kits contain five cartridges, each packed with 1mL or 5mL of 20μm, 30μm, or 75μm BioPro resin. These kits are ideal for media screening, development of purification methods, and loadability studies.
MiniChrom® BioPro Columns
MiniChrom® BioPro Columns are polypropylene LC columns packed with YMC-BioPro IEX stationary phase material. These columns are designed for operating conditions up to 30 °C and 30 bar (435 psi). They are useful for bench-scale resin cleaning and method development, sample cleaning, sample prep/cleanup, bind-and-recover sample purification, and flow-through purification.
Table of BioPro IEX and BioLC Columns
| Column / Resin | Type | Functional Group | Format | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioPro SP / S | Strong Cation Exchange | Sulfonic acid | Analytical to preparative | Peptides, proteins, and basic compounds |
| BioPro QA / Q | Strong Anion Exchange | Quaternary amine | Analytical to preparative | Acidic proteins, oligonucleotides |
| MiniChrom BioPro Columns | Pre-packed screening columns | SP, Q chemistries | Lab-scale process development | Rapid screening and scale-up validation |
| BioLC Analytical Stationary Phases | IEX and mixed-mode | Varied chemistries | Analytical LC | High-resolution biomolecule separations |
Additional Resources
Download the brochures below for more information about YMC-BioPro IEX products.
- YMC-BioPro IEX Columns & Bulk Resin – a compact brochure containing specifications, characteristics, and ordering information
- BioPro IEX Resins – information about preparative YMC-BioPro IEX resins
- YMC Accura BioPro IEX – learn about our bioinert hardware packed with BioPro IEX phases
- Minichrom BioPro Columns – characteristics and ordering information for MiniChrom columns packed with BioPro IEX resins
- Analytical Stationary Phases for BioLC – a quick-reference tool with specifications for YMC’s BioLC products
- YMC Biochromatography Columns – a comprehensive brochure containing detailed information & applications for YMC’s columns for biochromatography

Applications
Below is a sampling of applications and tech notes featuring YMC-BioPro IEX products.
- Characterization of charge heterogeneity of therapeutic mAbs via IEX-MS using BioPro IEX SF from YMC
- High Temperature Stability of BioPro IEX SmartSep Resins
- Packing a 10 mm ID column with BioPro IEX SmartSep S30
- Pressure flow characteristics of YMC’s BioPro IEX
- Pressure Flow Characteristics of YMC`s BioPro IEX SmartSep
- Purification of monoclonal antibodies with BioPro IEX SmartSep
- Efficient mAb Purification with BioPro IEX
- Scalability of YMC-BioPro IEX Q
- A Stability-Indicating Method for Separation of Charge Variant Impurities of a PEGylated Protein by CEX-HPLC

Care & Use Manuals
Follow Care & Use guidelines for optimum performance

Publications
LC Columns & Accessories
| Product | Phase / Type | Separation Mode(s) | Pore Sizes | Particle Sizes | pH Range | Available Formats | Link to Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMC-BioPro IEX | IEX | Ion Exchange (IEX) | Non-Porous1000 Å | 3 µm5 µm10 µm20 µm75 µm6 µm30 µm | 2 - 12 | Analytical (1 - 8 mm ID)Preparative (10 mm ID & above)BiocompatibleScreening Kit |
When to Use Ion Exchange Chromatography
IEX is ideal when:
- You need to purify or polish biomolecules based on charge differences
- You are separating closely related variants such as charge isomers or post-translationally modified proteins
- You need to remove aggregates or impurities during biopharmaceutical development
- You are analyzing peptides, oligonucleotides, or other charged species
Why Choose YMC IEX Columns?
Proven Performance Across Scales
YMC’s BioPro IEX media deliver consistent, high-efficiency separations from analytical assays to preparative purification, ensuring reproducible scalability across research, process development, and manufacturing.
Optimized Chemistries for Selectivity
Available in both strong cation (SP/S, SCX) and strong anion (QA/Q,SAX) exchange formats, BioPro resins feature precisely controlled surface modification and pore structure to maximize protein recovery and resolution.
Wide pH and Salt Compatibility
Stable across a broad pH and ionic strength range, YMC IEX columns support flexible method development and robust process control under various buffer conditions.
Pre-Packed MiniChrom Columns for Rapid Screening
MiniChrom BioPro columns allow convenient small-scale testing of resin performance, enabling efficient method optimization and scale-up feasibility studies.
Reliable Scale-Up and Process Support
From discovery through manufacturing, YMC provides analytical and preparative formats using identical media, ensuring seamless transfer between scales and applications.
Ion Exchange Chromatography FAQs
Q: What types of ion exchange media does YMC offer?
YMC offers both strong cation (SP/S) and strong anion (QA/Q) exchange chemistries within the BioPro IEX product line, optimized for biomolecule separations across scales.
Q: Can BioPro IEX columns be used for both analytical and preparative separations?
Yes. BioPro IEX media are available in multiple particle sizes and column formats suitable for analytical, semi-preparative, and process-scale purification.
Q: What particle sizes and formats are available?
BioPro IEX media are available in 10,20, 30, and 75 µm particle sizes for scalable workflows and preparative workflows. MiniChrom pre-packed columns support lab-scale evaluation, while bulk resin formats enable large-scale purification.
Q: How does YMC ensure lot-to-lot consistency?
Every YMC IEX column is manufactured with high-purity silica and undergoes strict QC testing to ensure reproducible selectivity, efficiency, and mechanical stability.
Need Help Choosing the Right IEX Column?
Our technical team can guide you in selecting the optimal ion exchange chemistry and format for your target molecule or purification goal.
YMC also offers custom packing, method development support, and scale-up consulting to ensure success from analytical R&D to production.
Contact us today or browse our selection of columns.
