Activated Carbon Fragment Removal in Protein Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protein purification processes, particularly for monoclonal antibodies, struggle to effectively remove protein fragments that share similar properties with the intact protein, leading to impurities in the final product.
Innovation Solution
The use of activated carbon to bind and remove protein fragments from a sample containing a target protein, increasing the purity of the target protein by selectively adsorbing fragments without affecting the intact protein.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional purification steps (clarification, affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography) are used, then the target protein is purified from cells, cell debris, DNA, and host cell proteins, but protein fragments that share similar properties with the intact protein remain as impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting pH and ionic strength conditions to optimize the binding of protein fragments to activated carbon while maintaining intact protein in solution. By controlling solution conditions, the method achieves selective removal of fragments without affecting the target protein
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses activated carbon, a cost-effective and readily available material, to remove protein fragments. Activated carbon serves as a disposable adsorbent that can be easily removed from the solution after binding fragments, providing an economical solution to the fragment removal problem
2Manufacturing precision
If activated carbon is used to remove protein fragments, then fragment removal efficiency increases significantly, but there is a risk of also adsorbing the intact target protein
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls pH and ionic strength parameters to create conditions where protein fragments bind to activated carbon while the intact target protein remains in solution. This parameter optimization ensures high fragment removal efficiency while maintaining target protein recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled amounts of activated carbon and limited contact times to achieve partial adsorption - specifically targeting fragments while avoiding excessive adsorption of the intact protein. This controlled partial action prevents loss of target protein
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Activated carbon significantly reduces the amount of protein fragments in the sample, enhancing the purity of the target protein by up to 90% or more, making it suitable for therapeutic proteins requiring regulatory approval.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the sample with activated carbon; wherein the activated carbon binds the fragments
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides novel and improved protein purification processes which incorporate certain types of carbonaceous materials and result in effective and selective removal, of protein, fragments without adversely affecting the yield of the desired protein product.