Develop a novel biofiltration technology using natural soy protein isolates (SPI) and nanoparticles for the purification of pharmaceutical proteins.

1) develop a technique in order to synthesize and characterize a multifunctional biofilter using cellulose acetate, PCL nanoparticles, and SPI; 2) evaluate the toxin removal efficiency of biofilters for protein purification; 3) understand toxinbiofilter interactions and metal ion removal mechanisms by SPI; and 4) optimize the parameters(concentration, nanoparticle size, pH, buffer, protein types etc.) affecting the biofilter’s efficiency.

Develop a technique to synthesize and characterize a multifunctional biofilter;
Evaluate pharmaceutical protein purification and toxin removal performance;
Understand toxin-nanoparticle interactions and metal ion removal mechanisms;
Optimize the factors affecting the biofilter’s efficiency

Updated April 27, 2021:
Biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies, proteins, vaccines, etc., are one of the most effective public health medicinal products with an excellent safety record by inducing potent and long-lasting immune responses against infectious agents. These would likely be prioritized for health-care workers and people at greatest risk of severe illness and death. There is a need to safeguard the vaccine product against potential contamination with adventitious agents that include bacterial endotoxins that may have been unintentionally introduced into the production and manufacturing processes.

My research team at Missouri S&T has synthesized a novel composite biofilter modified with cellulose acetate, soy protein isolates (SPI), and PolyBall nanoparticles to remove endotoxins for the purification of therapeutic protein solutions and water. The permeability, porosity, selectivity, and toxin removal were studied. The ability of endotoxin removal using PolyBall nanoparticle powder and biofilters was investigated for protein and water purification. Protein solutions and water were spiked with E. coli O111:B4 endotoxins and passed through the biofilter. The amount of
endotoxins in filtrate and retentate were measured using an EndoDye assay. To control the accuracy of the spikes, an
equal amount of endotoxins was spiked into depyrogenated water (positive control). The kinetics of endotoxin removal
efficiency were determined as a function of PolyBall loading (concentration), filter composition, pore structure, and
additional factors (pH, ionic strength, etc.). The percent endotoxin removal was measured in the filtrate and retentate
solutions. The Biofilter exhibited all around capability of targeting and removing endotoxins from vaccine solutions
without the need for any external pressure or any special equipment. The exceptional selectivity combined with high
permeability for the target compound makes an ideal mode of operation for highly selective biopharmaceutical purification membranes.

Emphasizing soybean products’ functional SPI components may serve as an opportunity for Missouri Soybean farmers’ understanding and gaining entry into the biopharmaceutical industry without diminishing its traditional markets and processing activities, enabling the Soybean farmers to market in additional nations.