Hemasure, Inc.

Randal A Goffe

Stephen B Kessler

A R Azad

Stephen E Zale

James L O'Connor

A method and apparatus for carrying out affinity purification of a ligate. The method comprising, (a) providing a ligate containing liquid to a first side of at least one porous hollow fiber membrane with a ligand immobilized thereto that binds and separates the ligate from the liquid, (b) withdrawing a first portion of the liquid from the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (c) recirculating the first portion of liquid to the first side of the porous hollow fiber membrane, (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) until a majority of the liquid has flowed through the porous hollow fiber membrane, and (e) providing an elution solution to one side of the porous hollow fiber membrane under a pressure sufficient to cause the elution solution to flow into and through the membrane to effect disassociation of any ligate-ligand bonds wherein any ligate bound to the ligand is eluted with the elution solution.

Membrane affinity apparatus and purification methods related thereto

A hydrophobic polymer such as polysulfone or polyethersulfone is modified to contain an increased number of functionalizable chain ends such as by treating with an alkali hydroxide to provide hydroxyl groups. A linker is covalently bonded to a chain end of the polymer and a macromolecule is covalently bonded to the linker. A ligand may be covalently bonded to the macromolecule. The macromolecule can be a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer or a biologically active species. The hydrophobic polymer is preferably in the form of a microporous membrane. By the use of a four-component dope composition, substantially isotropic microporous structures in the form of flat sheets or hollow fibers are produced. An improved spinnerette assembly is provided for the production of hollow fibers.

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Medway, MA, United States of America

Randal A Goffe