Biomolecule preservation
AssigneeUniversity of Bath
InventorsAsel Sartbaeva, Stephen Wells
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a way to capture a biomolecule such as a protein in one or more layers of covalently bonded amorphous silica, forming a cage or shell which preserves the shape of the protein and prevents denaturation caused by heat and/or aging and/or non-physiological conditions, through unfolding and loss of secondary and/or higher order structure.
Claims21
A biomolecule enveloped with silica, wherein the silica envelope is substantially continuous and non-porous and separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the silica has been deposited around the biomolecule, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide.
A method of enveloping a biomolecule with silica comprising:
- a) hydrolysing a silica starting material to produce a hydrolysed silica precursor,
- b) contacting the hydrolysed silica precursor with an aqueous solution comprising a buffer and the biomolecule at a pH of ≥6, wherein the hydrolysed silica precursor in aqueous solution forms a single phase,
- wherein the silica precursor precipitates about the biomolecule to form a substantially continuous and non-porous envelope of covalently bonded amorphous silica about the biomolecule which separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, and wherein the method occurs in aqueous phase, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide.
A method of reducing biomolecule denaturation in non-physiological conditions comprising enveloping the biomolecule with silica, the enveloping comprising contacting a hydrolysed silica precursor with an aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule, wherein the silica precursor precipitates about the biomolecule to form a substantially continuous and non-porous silica envelope which separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the method occurs in aqueous phase, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide;
- or
- a method of transporting and/or storing a biomolecule, comprising
- a) obtaining the biomolecule enveloped with silica, wherein the silica envelope is substantially continuous and non-porous and separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the silica has been deposited around the biomolecule, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide, and
- b) transporting the biomolecule from a first location to a second location and/or storing the biomolecule,
- wherein at least a portion of the transporting and/or storing occurs in the absence of a cold-chain;
- or
- a method of providing a gastric resistant coating to a biomolecule comprising contacting a hydrolysed silica precursor with an aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule, wherein the silica precursor precipitates about the biomolecule to form a substantially continuous and non-porous silica envelope which separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions and which acts as the gastric resistant coat, wherein the method occurs in aqueous phase, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide.
A method of vaccination comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, a vaccine comprising a biomolecule enveloped with silica, wherein the silica envelope is substantially continuous and non-porous and separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the silica has been deposited around the biomolecule, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide;
- or
- a method of vaccination comprising administration to a subject in need thereof, a biomolecule with secondary or higher order structure, by
- a) oral administration of the biomolecule enveloped with silica, wherein the silica envelope is substantially continuous and non-porous and separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the silica has been deposited around the biomolecule, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide, or
- b) release of the biomolecule from a substantially continuous and non-porous silica envelope which separates the biomolecule from surrounding conditions, wherein the silica has been deposited around the biomolecule, and wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein or polypeptide, followed by re-formulation of the biomolecule and injection into the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.