(393f) Development of Adsorptive Membranes for Targeted Protein Binding

This presentation will describe our latest efforts to develop adsorptive membranes for use as protein purification media. The design approach used in these studies is to graft polymeric 'tentacles' from macroporous regenerated cellulose membranes by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Using one or more examples, we will illustrate how this design approach can be used to prepare high-productivity membrane adsorbers. In one case, we will discuss affinity membrane adsorbers that incorporate glucose-containing glycoligands. Studies have shown glycoligands selectively bind specific lectins [Yang et al., Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2010, 2] mimicking the gluco-receptors found on cell surfaces that recognize and bind bacteria. The literature also reports advances in this field using model substrates to elucidate optimal polymerization conditions, and kinetic studies relating polymerization time to the degree of polymerization [Yang and Ulbricht, Macromolecules, 2011, 44]. The present study integrates these glycoligand adsorbers into a membrane system that is capable of scale-up to a column for chromatographic separation. A glucose-based ligand was grafted from regenerated cellulose membrane surfaces using ATRP. The model lectin, Concanavalin A, was used to evaluate membrane performance in bind-and- elute purification, using a low molecular weight sugar for elution.