Protein Technologies, Inc.

Leon E Barstow

Milan Bier

Terry D Long

Anthony R Ford

Chemical reactions are readily carried out using supercritical carbon dioxide as the reaction medium. Supercritical carbon dioxide is of special value as a reaction medium in reactions for synthesizing polypeptides, for sequencing polypeptides, or for amino acid analysis.

Organic syntheses employing supercritical carbon dioxide as a reaction

A matrix of valves being formed using a sandwich of three layers with a pliable membrane interposed between two of the layers. Supply channels and delivery channels are created through etching, routing, or other such means on the middle layer. Each supply channel communicates with all of the delivery channels via a valve location which is opened or closed by pneumatic pressure on the pliable membrane. Movement of the pliable membrane is affected through suction or pressure as communicated via holes in the overlying layer. In this manner, selected supply and delivery lines are connected by appropriate suction being placed on the membrane. Selected valves are simultaneously opened to provide parallel operations.

Matrix of valves

A novel and convenient process is described for providing protected amino acids and activating agents for solid phase synthesis which drastically reduces the capital costs of equipment required for the preparation of peptides. The two normally very reactive reagents, when mixed as anhydrous powders are shelf stable and yet form an active compound rapidly when mixed together in solution. This invention presents a method for combining these highly reactive dry solids in a manner which makes them unreactive and shelf stable at room temperature for extended periods of time. Once the solids are dissolved in solvent, a highly reactive amino acid ester that can readily be used in solid phase peptide synthesis is formed. This method of delivery of reagents to an automated peptide synthesizer allowers a very simplified instrument to be constructed using fewer and less expensive components and significantly reducing the associated software required.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Leon E Barstow