pH-Responsive Polymers for Biomolecule Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current purification methods for biomolecules, such as therapeutic proteins, are complex, expensive, and face challenges with residual polymer contamination and inefficient flocculation, particularly when using polyelectrolytes, which can foul chromatography media and complicate downstream processes.
Innovation Solution
Development of stimulus-responsive polymers with a polyelectrolyte backbone modified with hydrophobic groups, capable of binding and precipitating biomolecules under specific conditions, allowing for scalable and efficient purification of therapeutic proteins by forming complexes that can be easily separated from impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If polyelectrolytes are used for flocculation to purify proteins, then purification can be achieved via selective flocculation, but residual polymer contamination occurs and can foul chromatography media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pH-responsive polymers that change their conformation and binding properties in response to pH changes. During purification, the pH is adjusted to induce polymer precipitation, thereby removing residual polymer contamination while maintaining purification efficiency. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both high productivity and low contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pH-responsive polymer as an intermediary agent that facilitates selective flocculation of impurities. The polymer acts as a mediator between the target protein and the purification process, enabling efficient separation while its subsequent pH-induced precipitation removes it from the final product, thus preventing contamination and media fouling.
2Productivity
If stimulus-responsive polymers are used to bind and precipitate biomolecules, then purification efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pH-responsive polymers that undergo conformational changes and precipitation in response to pH adjustments. This simple parameter change (pH adjustment) triggers the purification process and subsequent polymer removal, achieving high purification efficiency without requiring complex equipment or multi-step procedures. The entire process can be controlled by adjusting a single parameter - pH.
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 stimulus-responsive polymers effectively increase the purity of target biomolecules by selectively binding and precipitating either the target molecule or impurities, reducing residual polymer contamination and simplifying the purification process, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of biomolecule purification.
Implementation Method 1
the use of polymers containing ion species, such as polyelectrolytes. Generally, polyelectrolytes are added to the protein mixture and purification is achieved via selective flocculation of one or more components of the mixture
Implementation Method 2
stimulus-responsive or 'Smart' polymers have been developed which can bind to both soluble (e.g., host cell proteins, DNA, cell culture additives) as well as insoluble (e.g., cells and cellular debris) components
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides novel and improved stimulus responsive polymers and methods of using the same for the purification of biomolecules.