CHAPS is a non-denaturing, zwitterionic sulfobetaine detergent. It is mild and solubilizes membrane proteins and receptors. It is useful for breaking protein-protein interactions. It is a derivative of the naturally occurring bile salts. It has small micellar molecular weight (6,150) and high critical micellar concentration (6 - 10 mM) allowing it to be removed from samples by dialysis.