Apparatus and Method for High Speed Countercurrent Chromatography of Peptides and Proteins
Description of Invention:
This invention is an improved column design for High Speed Counter Current Chromatography (HSCCC) that increases partition efficiency by using novel column geometries. A standard HSCCC centrifuge uses a multilayer coil as a separation column to produce a high efficiency separation with good retention of the stationary phase in many solvent systems. However, the standard HSCCC, when used for highly viscous, low interfacial tension solvent systems, is unsuccessful at retaining a suitable amount of the stationary phase. This invention greatly improves efficiency by modifying the column from a coil to spiral geometry. Therefore, this invention creates a centrifugal force gradient, which allows for distribution of the heavier phase in the peripheral and the lighter phase in the proximal parts of the column. The effect of the gradient becomes more pronounced as the pitch of the spiral is increased.
The apparatus can be stacked on a support (E-014-2003) that provides additive net spiral flow geometry. When mounted, it will produce efficient separation of proteins and peptides. Also, efficient stationary phase retention can be achieved through the use of a plate apparatus (E-046-2003) that comprises a disk shaped column support having a spiral groove formed on its surface. At least one layer of fluid flow tubing is positioned substantially within the spiral groove. The countercurrent chromatography effect is produced by rotating the disk shaped column on a planar motion device.
Inventors:
Yoichiro Ito (NHLBI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-148-2001/0-PCT-02 filed 25 Mar 2003 (PCT Application No. PCT/US03/09189, which published as WO 03/087807 on 23 Oct 2003)
DHHS Reference No. E-014-2003/0-US-01 filed 21 Mar 2003 (U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/457,058)
DHHS Reference No. E-046-2003/0-US-01 filed 24 Apr 2003 (U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/464,665)
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michael Shmilovich J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5019
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
