Naughton, Laura (2017) Brush grafted membranes for protein immobilization. Master of Science thesis, Dublin City University.
Abstract
IIn this study two types of membranes were modified to selectively bind protein;
polysulfone membranes were used to purify Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) from a
complex mixture of proteins, whereas cellulose membranes were selected to bind the
enzyme laccase, which was examined for the breakdown of the anti-inflammatory drug
Diclofenac.
Chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPS) ultrafiltration membrane adsorbers grafted with
polyacrylic acid polymer brushes for binding of green fluorescent protein were fabricated
using the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Polysulfone (PS) was
chloromethylated using chlorotrimethylsilane and paraformaldehyde to obtain
chloromethylated polysulfone, indicated by a peak at 4.5 ppm using 1H-NMR
spectroscopy. The introduction of chloromethyl groups to the membrane surface acted as
an initiator for surface polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) monomer via surface
initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) to poly-tert butyl acrylate (poltBA). Selective acid hydrolysis of the pol-tBA brushes for deprotection of the tert-butyl
groups yielded polyacrylic acid (PAA) brushes, with effective binding sites for
immobilization of protein, confirmed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform
infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy identified by decrease in transmittance at 1640 cm-1
corresponding to a decrease in hydrogen bonding interactions due to the presence of
poly(AA). Increasing the length of time for ATRP led to an increase in polymer grafting,
which led to an increase in hydrophilicity, demonstrated from water contact angle studies.
Adsorption and flux studies were carried out to further examine the anti-fouling properties
of the membranes. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images reveal that the grafted
membranes exhibit typical features of ultrafiltration membranes, with a dense skin layer
and well defined finger-like macrovoid sublayer. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) was
successfully bound to the grafted brushes. Fluorescent microscopy identified the stable
8
binding of GFP. The produced membranes have strong potential for the selective
separation of proteins in downstream processing.
The second part of this project used surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization
(SI-ATRP) to successfully graft hydrophilic polymer brushes onto commercial cellulose
membrane surfaces, which were capable of immobilizing laccase enzyme. Initiator
immobilisation was achieved through esterification of the hydroxyl groups present on the
membrane surface with α-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BIBB). As above, SI-ATRP was used
to introduce the poly tBA brushes and acid hydrolysis carried out to create poly (AA)
brushes. Their presence on the surfaces of the hydrolysed membranes was confirmed
through FTIR analysis. The stability of the bound enzymes were challenged at a range of
pHs, temperatures and ionic strengths. It was found that the stability of immobilised
laccase was enhanced at pH 4 and pH 5 in comparison to the free form at 10oC and at pH 5
at 22 oC. There was no significant difference in activity between the two enzyme forms at
pH 6 and pH 7 at 22oC and pH 5 at 30oC. These results suggest that the association of
laccase with a support surface may not affect its structural integrity and make it suitable for
use in a wide range of conditions. The enzyme bound membranes (EBMs) were capable of
breaking down 96% of the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac (DCF) after 2 hrs without
the addition of any mediator at 22oC and pH 7; conditions similar to drinking water
treatment, indicating their strong potential for industrial use.
Metadata
Item Type: | Thesis (Master of Science) |
---|---|
Date of Award: | November 2017 |
Refereed: | No |
Supervisor(s): | Lawler, Jenny and O'Connor, Brendan |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Membranes |
Subjects: | Biological Sciences > Biotechnology Engineering > Materials Biological Sciences > Biochemistry |
DCU Faculties and Centres: | DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Biotechnology |
Use License: | This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. View License |
ID Code: | 21946 |
Deposited On: | 17 Nov 2017 13:38 by Brendan O'connor . Last Modified 28 Jul 2021 16:25 |
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