3D Printed Microfluidic Chromatographic Column for Fast Downstream Processing Development
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT 3D printing is emerging as a promising fabrication technique for microfluidic devices. In this work, this technology was exploited in the development of a microfluidic chromatographic column with nominal volume of 54 µL. The microcolumn was packed with a cation exchange resin and characterized, using potassium iodide as a tracer, in terms of porosity (ε = 0.72), plate number, and asymmetry factor (0.8 < AS < 1.8 for flowrates >50 µL/min). To showcase the potential of this microdevice, it was exploited in the characterization of the chromatographic behavior of lysozyme. The measured saturation capacity (q∞= 88.14 g/Lresin at 340 cm/h) was in line with the manufacturer declaration (85–135 g/L at <500 cm/h). In addition, the effect of NaCl at different concentrations on the protein adsorption isotherm was characterized, demonstrating a Langmuir to anti‐Langmuir transition at concentrations ≥300 mM. The axial dispersion coefficient was finally determined (= 6.7 · 10−9 m2/s). In this way, the mcirofluidic column allowed to develop a comprehensive mechanistic model describing the transport of lysozyme in the chromatographic medium using only 30 µL of resin and <1 g of protein, addressing the issue of limited availability of biomolecules and streamlining the process development.
Source: Biotechnology Journal
DOI: 10.1002/biot.70095
Authors: Vladimir Matining, Mario Messina, Benedetta Sechi, Davide Moscatelli, Mattia Sponchioni
Institution: Politecnico di Milano
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,780
OpenAlex ID: W4413102372