Sulfated Hydrogel for Selective Biomolecule Sequestration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods using hydrogels with sulfated or sulfonated components struggle to selectively control the levels of signaling molecules in complex biofluids due to limitations in predicting protein binding and interactions, especially under physiologically relevant conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving differentiated sequestration of substances in sulfated and/or sulfonated hydrogels, which depletes substances of one group while selectively releasing or reducing binding of substances from another group, using hydrogels composed of poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) and amine- or thiol-containing crosslinking molecules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrogels with sulfated or sulfonated components are used for sequestration, then binding capacity for proteins is improved, but selectivity for different substance groups deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding capacityVSAvoidselectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating hydrogels with spatially differentiated properties - specific amino acid sequences (local regions) are incorporated into the polymer structure to provide selective binding sites for particular protein groups, while other regions maintain general binding capacity through sulfated or sulfonated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining sulfated or sulfonated polymer components with specific amino acid sequences (such as polybasic regions) to create a multifunctional hydrogel that simultaneously provides high binding capacity and selective recognition for different substance groups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If hydrogels are used to deplete substances from biofluid, then sequestration efficiency is improved, but controlled release capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequestration efficiencyVSAvoidcontrolled release

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing hydrogels with tunable crosslinking density and composition that can dynamically adjust their binding and release properties - the same hydrogel can efficiently sequester substances under certain conditions while allowing controlled release under different conditions through changes in pH, ionic strength, or competitive binding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If sulfated or sulfonated components are used for protein binding, then electrostatic interaction strength is improved, but predictability of binding behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic interaction strengthVSAvoidpredictability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the degree of sulfation/sulfonation, crosslinking density, and amino acid sequence composition to create hydrogels with predictable binding characteristics - these parameters are optimized to balance electrostatic interaction strength with steric accessibility and charge distribution for improved predictability

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

This approach allows for intentional control of substance concentrations in biofluids by selectively binding and releasing proteins, enhancing the ability to manage signaling molecules and other biomolecules in biotechnological and medical applications.

Implementation Method 1

The interactions crucial for the affinity to these proteins are based primarily on electrostatic forces between the sulfate or sulfonic acid groups of the hydrogels which are negatively charged under application conditions and amino acid side chains of proteins which are positively charged.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interactions: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

simultaneous differentiated release into the biofluid of substances of substance group A or B from the hydrogel containing sulfated and/or sulfonated components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20250066561A1Method and material for differentiated sequestration of substances of different substance groups with the aid of hydrogels containing sulphated or sulphonated components

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 RESCURE GMBH

AI summary

A method is disclosed for differentiated sequestration of substances of different substance groups A and B in a sulfated and/or sulfonated hydrogel while simultaneously releasing substances of substance group A or B from the sulfated and/or sulfonated hydrogel into a biofluid. The sulfated and/or sulfonated hydrogel is selected from hydrogels of Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 and consist of uncharged and charged components. The charged components are characterized by calculating the number of sulfated or sulfonated groups per repeat unit divided by the molecular mass of the repeat unit, for each of Type 1, 2, 3 and 4. Swollen hydrogels have a different concentration of sulfated or sulfonated groups in mmol/ml for Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4. The concentration of substances of each substance group A and group B in the biofluid is influenced by the selection of the type of hydrogel.