ARRS-J2-1719

Title Structural and surface properties of fibrous membranes for purification and chromatographic separation of biomacromolecules
Area Engineering sciences and technologies: Textile and leather
Presentation illustration
Duration 1. 7. 2019 – 31. 12. 2022
Funding 300.000 EUR (ARRS)
Project head Prof. Dr. Vanja Kokol https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/8756
Participating organizations BIA Separations L.t.d. Separations technology company https://www.biaseparations.com https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/en/organization/2479
Univerist yof Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty https://www.bf.uni-lj.si/en/organisation/biology/
IJS, Department of surafce engineering https://f4.ijs.si
Objectives In this project we aim to investigate the preparation/manufacturing process for developing of novel low-cost and high-flow fiber-based filters and ion-exchange membranes, which may act as a complementary method to the existing polymeric-based filters or expensive chromatographic monolithic cartridge-based systems, to enable: i) high and sterile bacteria filtration retention, ii) good gDNA and endotoxin removal, and iii) chromatographic purification/separations of proteins, with high performance and economic feasibility.
The membranes will be prepared by merging existing textile, paper and composite technologies, optionally in a combination with advanced plasma processing to further chemically modify or functionalize the fibers surface with specific ligand, and thus to tailor/increase the membrane surface area and mass transfer properties with good binding capacity, supporting efficient biomolecules purification, separation and recovery.
Specific phases and stage of realization Developing / manufacturing, characterizing, and testing novel fiber-based:

  • filter membranes for sterile size-exclusion removal of bacteria
  • chromatographic membranes for purification and separation of selected model proteins
  • chromatographic membranes for depletion of target impurities, for example genomic DNA (gDNA) gDNA fragments and endotoxins
Bibliographic references Articles
KOKOL, Vanja, SIMČIČ, Tina, ČERNIGOJ, Urh. Structural and chromatographic characterization of cation‑exchange membranes based on carboxymethyl/ nanofbrillated cellulose using lysozyme. Cellulose. March 2025, vol. 32, p 2937-2954. DOI: 10.1007/s10570-025-06450-w.KOKOL, Vanja, VIVOD, Vera. Cation-exchange performance of a citric-acid esterified cellulose nanofibrous membrane for highly-selective proteins’ permeability and adsorption capacity. Carbohydrate polymers. [Print ed.]. Oct. 2023, vol. 318, 121134, 14 p, DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121134.KOKOL, Vanja, KOS, Monika, VIVOD, Vera, GUNDE-CIMERMAN, Nina. Cationised fibre-based cellulose multi-layer membranes for sterile and high-flow bacteria retention and inactivation.Membranes. Feb. 2023, vol. 13, iss. 3, 284, 23 p. DOI: 10.3390/membranes13030284.

KOKOL, Vanja, NOVAK, Sara, KONONENKO, Veno, KOS, Monika, VIVOD, Vera, GUNDE-CIMERMAN, Nina, DROBNE, Damjana. Antibacterial and degradation properties of dialdehyded and aminohexamethylated nanocelluloses. Carbohydrate polymers. 2023, vol. 311,120603, 16 p, DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120603

Scientific conference contributions
KOKOL, Vanja, SIMČIČ, Tina, ČERNIGOJ, Urh, et al. Chromatographic characterization of cation-exchange carboxymethyl/nanofibrilated cellulose-based membranes using lysozyme as a model protein. V: MSS2024 : June 3-7, 2024, Portoroz, Slovenia + virtual : abstract book. [Ajdovščina: Sartorius BIA Separations], 2024. p 100. https://www.monolith-events.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MSS2024_Abstract-Book.pdf.

KOKOL, Vanja, KOS, Monika, VIVOD, Vera, NOVAK, Sara, KONONENKO, Veno, GUNDE-CIMERMAN, Nina, DROBNE, Damjana. Nanocellulose-based antimicrobial microparticles as an alternative to toxic nano-biocides. V: ISWFPC 2023 : International Symposium on Wood, Fiber and Pulping Chemistry : Venice, Italy, 4th-7th July 2023 : conference proceedings. Vol. 1, Oral presentations. Venice: Ca’ Foscari University, Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, 2023. p 259-261.

KOLAR, Tjaša, VIVOD, Vera, KOKOL, Vanja. Filtration/separation efficacy of micro-to-nano plastic particles using nanocellulose-based membrane. V: Book of abstracts : International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea : μMED Conference – III edition: Naples, Italy, 25 – 28 Sept. 2022, p. 127.

KOKOL, Vanja. Nanocellulose-based antimicrobial microparticles as an alternative to toxic nano-biocides. In: International Conference on Cellulose Fibres 2022 : 2 – 3 February 2022, hybrid event, Cologne (Germany). 2022. 1 p. https://cellulose-fibres.eu/poster-session/

KOKOL, Vanja, VIVOD, Vera, SIMČIČ, Tina, ČERNIGOJ, Urh. Characterisation of membranes prepared from carboxymethyl cellulose and cellulose nanofibrils and their applicability for biochromatography. In: Abstract book. 8th Monolith Summer School & Symposium, June 15th-20th 2018, Portoroz, Slovenija. p 46.