Biomolecule preservation

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 the biomolecule,
• wherein the silica precursor precipitates about the biomolecule, optionally wherein the method occurs in aqueous phase;
• or wherein the aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule further comprises a buffer and has a pH≥6;
• or wherein the aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule and the buffer and has a pH in the range of 6.5≤pH≥7.5, optionally wherein the pH is about 7;
• wherein the aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule has a concentration of the biomolecule which is less than that which causes spontaneous aggregation of the biomolecule.

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;

• or
• a method of transporting and/or storing a biomolecule, comprising
• a) obtaining the biomolecule enveloped with silica
• 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 the gastric resistant coat.

A method of vaccination comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, a vaccine comprising a biomolecule enveloped with silica;

• 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, or
• b) release of the biomolecule from a silica envelope followed by re-formulation of the biomolecule and injection into the subject.

A method of releasing a biomolecule from an envelope of silica deposited around the biomolecule, comprising contacting the biomolecule and its envelope of silica with a release solution comprising fluoride ions at acidic pH;

• or
• a method of enveloping a biomolecule with silica and subsequently releasing the biomolecule from the silica envelope, comprising:
• a) hydrolysing a silica starting material to produce an aqueous solution of hydrolysed silica precursor,
• b) contacting the hydrolysed silica precursor with an aqueous solution comprising the biomolecule, wherein the silica precursor precipitates about the biomolecule, and
• c) contacting the biomolecule and its silica envelope with a release solution comprising fluoride ions at acidic pH.