Macroporous Cellulose Membrane for Affinity Chromatography

Suny At Buffalo, Amherst NY

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Macroporous cellulose membranes are being prepared from filter paper by cross-linking. With these highly porous membranes, further chemical modifications are carried out in order to obtain affinity membranes containing selective ligands for specific protein or enzyme adsorption. The final goal is to produce affinity cartridges which can be used to separate with high selectivity a number of proteins. As therapeutic proteins find wider use in medicine, efficient and effective methods are required to produce these proteins economically. Macroporous affinity membranes offer advantages over conventional chromatography by providing higher rates at lower pressure drops. The cross-linked cellulose membranes are mechanically durable and chemically stable as well as biocompatible. They can be used in cartridges for selective protein separation and purification and tailored by introduction of specific ligands.