Also known as LC, this technique is used to separate molecules in solution by passing them through a solid matrix.

As the complex mixture of moleules in solution is passed through the matrix (often contained in a column), physicochemical interactions (properties such as size, charge and hydrophobicity) will differentially slow down certain molecules, allowing them to elute out of the column at different rates.

Likewise, if certain molecules are retained by the matrix, they can later be eluted out by washing the matrix with the appropriate buffers. Depending on the principal criteria being used to separate the molecules and the structure of the matrix, variations of LC exist such as size exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography.