Monolithic Column Technology for Strong
Monolithic Column Technology for Strong Cation-Exchange Liquid Chromatography - Improves chromatography technology by eliminating the need to add organic solvents to decrease the hydrophobic character of the column.General Information
Ion exchange chromatography is a process that separates ions such as large proteins or peptides based on their charges. A stationary phase exhibiting a particular charge is attached to the wall of a column and a solvent is passed through. Proteins or peptides in the solution that have the same charge as the stationary phase pass through the column, while those of opposite charge are retained in the column due to their ionic interaction with the stationary phase. In particular, cation exchange chromatography retains cations in its column because its stationary phase is negatively charged. In order for the column to function, it is essential that the stationary phase retain its negative character even when the pH of the environment changes from acidic to neutral.
A drawback of current chromatography technology is that the columns also separate according to hydrophobicity. This complicates the separation process because it is harder to decipher in what order analytes are eluted from the column. Currently, researchers minimize these hydrophobic interactions by adding organic solvents. This method however has its drawbacks because adding a solvent can complicate the analysis such as denaturing or precipitating proteins.
This invention improves chromatography technology by eliminating the need to add organic solvents to decrease the hydrophobic character of the column. Because this monolithic copolymer utilizes polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), as opposed to the conventional ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA), the amount of hydrophobic interactions experienced between the stationary phase and the molecules are minor. The mechanical strength and stability of the monolith is also enhanced. Separation experiments with the column show that high resolution peaks can be obtained without using organic solvent components.
The Market
Because chromatography is such a widely used technique, this invention has application in many diverse biological, medical, chemical or any other research oriented fields, especially for manufacturers of ion exchange chromatography columns and supplies.
Inventor(s): Binghe Gu, Zhaoyuan Chen, Craig D. Thulin, Milton L. Lee
Type of Offer: Licensing
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