Chlorinated Amorphous Silica Carrier for Low-Denaturation Protein Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protein immobilization carriers, such as those made of zirconia and silica-based materials, suffer from protein denaturation due to planar rigid surfaces and complex preparation processes, leading to inadequate protein binding abilities.

Innovation Solution

A protein immobilization carrier composed of an amorphous silica-based compound with specific Si-NMR and FT-IR characteristics, containing chlorine, which reduces silanol groups and enhances Si-Cl bonds, allowing for a simpler production method and improved protein binding without denaturation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zirconia-based protein immobilization carrier is used, then protein can be adsorbed and immobilized on the carrier, but the protein will have a planar rigid surface and denature, resulting in insufficient protein binding ability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein binding abilityVSAvoidprotein denaturation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the silica-based carrier by controlling the SiO2 content (70-90 wt%), Cl content (1-30 wt%), and Na content (1-30 wt%), transforming the carrier from a conventional inert material to one with controlled reactivity and surface properties that prevent protein denaturation while maintaining binding ability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining silica-based compound with specific chlorine and sodium content, forming a new type of carrier that integrates the benefits of silica structure with modified surface chemistry to simultaneously achieve protein immobilization and prevent denaturation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If silica-based biomolecule carrier with linkers is used, then proteins can be conjugated to the carrier, but the preparation process becomes complicated and proteins are prone to denaturation due to highly reactive silanol groups

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein immobilizationVSAvoidpreparation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic linkers and bioactive moieties from the carrier structure, using instead a simplified silica-based carrier with controlled Cl and Na content that directly provides the necessary protein binding capability without requiring additional conjugation steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier itself provides the protein binding function through its controlled chemical composition (SiO2, Cl, Na ratios), eliminating the need for external linkers and bioactive moieties to mediate the protein immobilization process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If silica-based carrier with large number of silanol groups is used, then the carrier is highly reactive for protein conjugation, but proteins adsorbed on linkers are prone to denaturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier reactivityVSAvoidprotein denaturation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the chemical composition parameters, particularly the Cl content (1-30 wt%) and Na content (1-30 wt%), to modulate the reactivity of silanol groups, reducing excessive reactivity that causes protein denaturation while maintaining sufficient reactivity for protein binding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The carrier effectively prevents protein denaturation and enhances protein binding capabilities while maintaining a stable protein-protein immobilization complex, suitable for use in antibody test kits and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

a protein immobilization carrier including an amorphous silica-based compound including silicon (Si), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4671764A1Protein immobilization carrier, protein immobilization carrier dispersion liquid, protein immobilization carrier hydrate, protein support complex, and antibody testing kit
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 OHARA INC
  • EP4671764A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4671764A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671764A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided are: a protein immobilization carrier that can be produced with a simple method, exhibits little degeneration of protein that has been adsorbed, and demonstrates a high protein-binding activity; and a protein immobilization carrier dispersion liquid, a protein immobilization carrier hydrate, a protein support complex, and an antibody testing kit that use the protein immobilization carrier. The protein immobilization carrier is composed of an amorphous silica-based compound containing silicon (Si), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl). When, in a solid-state 29Si-NMR spectrum of the carrier, the peak area derived from Si(OSi)4 is noted as Q4, the peak area derived from HO-Si(OSi)3 is noted as Q3, and the peak area derived from (HO)2-Si(OSi)2 is noted as Q2, (Q2 + Q3) / (Q2 + Q3 + Q4) is 0.30 or less. The molar concentration of chlorine atoms in the carrier as measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is 0.01 mol% or more.