Ion chromatography for proteins?

[scamiolo]

Hi guys
I have got a quick question for you. The department where I am working is buying an ion chromatography machine for the determination of cation and anion in soil extract. On the other hand several professors in the same department are work on genetic and molecular biology. The question is: can I use the ion chromatography for the analysis of proteins or DNA? Aren't these species charged and potentially interacting with the column material?
If so should I buy particular columns and where can I find specific protocols?
I can only work with an isocratic system (just one pump - no gradient).
Thanks to anyone can help me with this.

[Mark Tracy]

You can indeed use ion chromatography for proteins, nucleic acids and carbohydrates too. Usually, you would use something other than conductivity for detection. However gradients are absolutely necessary for chromatography of macromolecules. Dionex makes and supports several lines of columns for biological macromolecules, see http://www.dionex.com. Using an ion chromatography column designed for small inorganic ions to separate large biomolecules will give disappointing results.