Research Initiation Award: Oriented Short-Fiber Bed for Downstream Processing of Proteins

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The project will develop beds of partially oriented, ion-exchange short fibers for the chromagraphic separation of proteins. Theory predicts this configuration has the potential for having both high adsorption capacity and high flow rates. The fiber will be a cross linked polyethyleneimine on a magnetized macroporous polysulfone support. The fibers will be packed in the presence of a magnetic field. Studies will be performed to determine conditions under which the bed of fibers is partially oriented. Once the desired packing is developed, separations will be performed on six proteins to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of using partially oriented fibers. Realization of much of the promise of biotechnology depends upon new separation processes. Large-scale column chromatography is one of the most promising future technologies. Conventional columns generally face a trade-off between high-capacity and large pressure drops. If partially oriented, ion-exchange, short fiber beds can simultaneously achieve low pressure drops and high-surface areas they will undoubtedly find important applications in biotechnology.