Porous affinity hydrogel particles for reducing the bioavailability of selected biological molecules

Abstract

A hydrogel particle that has an average cross-sectional diameter in the range from 1 micrometer (μm) to 1000 μm, wherein the particle includes a first polymer network with an average mesh size that allows diffusion of a molecule with an hydrodynamic radius of 1000 nanometer (nm) or less into the first polymer network and which particle includes one or more binding molecules that are immobilized by the polymer network. The hydrogel particle preferably has wherein the first polymer network has an average mesh size that prevents diffusion of a molecule with an average hydrodynamic radius of more than 1000 nm to diffuse into the first polymer network, preferably the mesh size prevents diffusion of a molecule with an average hydrodynamic radius of more than 100 nm, and preferably more than 5 nm. Methods for reducing the bioavailability of one or more soluble biological molecules in a biological system by using the described hydrogel particle.