Application of light scattering measurements to soluble proteins can yield information related to the degree of aggregation. The nomograph below depicts how the multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) measurement of protein molecular weight can be used to determine the amount of aggregate existing in a solution of interest.

Aggregation Nomograph

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), coupled with differential refractive index, ultraviolet, and light scattering detection (MALLS), can be used to determine the stoichiometry of any formed complexes arising from the various components in the system (J. Wen, et.al., Techniques in Protein Chemistry, VIII, p 23 (1996)). This method is especially facile for systems involving carbohydrate or glycolsylated proteins (including extracellular proteins and polyethylene glycol protein conjugates).