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AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsDean-Mo Liu, I-Wei Chen
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The present invention provides a process for the encapsulation of biologically important proteins into transparent, porous silica matrices by an alcohol-free, aqueous, colloidal sol-gel process, and to the biological materials encapsulated thereby. The process is exemplified by studies involving encapsulated cytochrome c, catalase, myoglobin, and hemoglobin, although non-proteinaceous biomaterials, such as active DNA or RNA fragments, cells or even tissues, may also be encapsulated in accordance with the present methods. Conformation, and hence activity of the biomaterial, is successfully retained after encapsulation as demonstrated by optical characterization of the molecules, even after long-term storage. The retained conformation of the biomaterial is strongly correlated to both the rate of gelation and the subsequent drying speed of the encapsulatng matrix. Moreover, in accordance with this process, gelation is accelerated by the use of a higher colloidal solid concentration and a lower synthesis pH than conventional methods, thereby enhancing structural stability and retained conformation of the biomaterials. Thus, the invention also provides a remarkable improvement in retaining the biological activity of the encapsulated biomaterial, as compared with those involved in conventional alkoxide-based processes. It further provides new methods for the quantitative and qualitative detection of test substances that are reactive to, or catalyzed by, the active, encapsulated biological materials.
An alcohol-free method of making a porous, inorganic matrix containing a biological material encapsulated therein, comprising:
A method for the quantitative or qualitative detection of a test substance that reacts with or whose reaction is catalyzed by an active biological material, wherein said biological material is encapsulated within a nanocomposite, and wherein said nanocomposite comprises a porous, inorganic matrix prepared by an alcohol-free colloidal sol-gel method, said quantitative or qualitative method comprising:
A method of storing a biological material in a porous, inorganic matrix, wherein withstanding exposure to adverse conditions, more than 80% of the biological activity of the material is retained for at least 2 months, comprising:
The method of storing a biologically active material in a porous, inorganic matrix in accordance with claim 19, wherein the biological material is an active protein or active protein fragment, wherein the nanocomposite comprises colloidal silica sol and dissolved sodium silicate, and wherein withstanding exposure to adverse conditions, more than 80% of the biological activity of the protein or protein fragment is retained for at least 2 months.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.