Method for finger-printing heparins
AssigneeVirginia Commonwealth University
InventorsUmesh R. Desai, J. Timothy King
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods to generate a distinctive fingerprint (pattern of migration) for a sample of complex, polydisperse heparins are provided. The methods involve adding resolving agents such as polyamines to a heparin sample and then analyzing the sample with a technique that separates macromolecules according to charge to mass ratio (e.g. capillary electrophoresis). The resulting electropherogram is unique to and characteristic of the heparin sample. The methods may be used, for example, to monitor the quality and consistency of various heparin preparations.
Claims15
A method of characterizing or “fingerprinting” a sample of polydisperse heparins, comprising the steps of
- forming a mixture comprising said polydisperse heparins and at least one polyamine resolving agent;
- and
- analyzing said mixture using a technique that separates molecules based on a charge to mass ratio.
A method of verifying the authenticity of an unknown sample of complex heparins, comprising the steps of
- forming a mixture comprising said unknown sample of complex heparins and a polyamine resolving agent,
- analyzing said mixture by a method that separates macromolecules according to a charge to mass ratio;
- then,
- based on results obtained in said analyzing step, determining a pattern of heparin migration for said unknown sample of complex heparins;
- and
- comparing said pattern of heparin migration for said unknown sample to a pattern of heparin migration for a known authentic heparin sample;
- and
- if said pattern of heparin migration for said unknown sample of complex heparins is the same as said pattern of heparin migration for said known authentic heparin sample, then concluding that said unknown sample of complex heparins is authentic;
- or
- if said pattern of heparin migration for said unknown sample of complex heparins differs from said pattern of heparin migration for said known authentic heparin sample, then concluding that said unknown sample of complex heparins is not authentic.
A method for enhancing resolution, based on a charge to mass ratio, of a mixture of polydisperse heparin molecules, comprising the step of adding a polyamine resolving agent to said mixture of polydisperse heparin molecules prior to performing a separation of said polydisperse heparin molecules based on a charge to mass ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.