Protein Fouling During Membrane Filtration

本研究涉及大分子对膜污染的广泛研究。造成污染的主要因素有浓度极化、堵塞、大分子在膜表面的吸附以及大分子/聚集体在膜上表面的沉积，本研究重点研究后两者。几种具有不同孔径和几何形状以及具有不同化学性质的膜（例如PTFE， PES，陶瓷）的污垢将在广泛的条件下研究一系列具有良好特征的蛋白质。这项工作的主要目标是更好地理解导致聚集体形成的分子间相互作用及其在蛋白质污染中的作用。其他实验是针对各种清洗程序的评价。在生物技术和制药工业中，污染对膜的使用寿命有不利影响。

This research involves a broad investigation of membrane fouling by macromolecules. Principal factors causing fouling include concentration polarization, plugging, adsorption of macromolecules on the surfaces in the membrane, and macromolecular/aggregate deposition on the upper surface of the membrane with emphasis in this study on the latter two. Fouling of several varieties of membranes with different pore sizes and geometries and with different chemical natures (e.g. PTFE, PES, ceramic) will be investigated for a series of well-characterized proteins over a wide range of conditions. A primary goal of the work is to develop a better understanding of intermolecular interactions which lead to aggregate formation and its role in protein fouling. Other experiments are directed to the evaluation of various cleaning procedures. Fouling adversely affects the length of service of membranes in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.