Gel fibreglass as a new support for affinity chromatography

A new support for affinity chromatography in the form of a gel fibreglass (GFG) has recently been invented [Zusman (1992) Isr. Pat. Appl. 102948; Zusman (1993) U.S. Pat. Appl. 08/112, 087]. The support is prepared from glass fibres covered with oxysilanes so as to provide a 'gel fibreglass' matrix. Derivatization of the support eliminates non-specific absorption of proteins. A thin layer of protein trapped in the gel glass during preparation is created on the surface of a lattice of glass fibres. External agents from the sample for analysis percolate through this support and contact a maximum number of molecules of compounds trapped in the gel glass. The supports are very stable and can be stored in dry conditions for a few months at room temperature. The GFG supports were used for affinity chromatography to isolate various proteins. A 10-50 mg portion of BSA and human gamma globulin, as well as rabbit IgG, which were generated against different proteins, were entrapped in GFG supports. The volumes of the prepared columns varied from 1 to 5 ml. The columns were utilized for isolation of affinity proteins. The capacity of such supports is up to 12 mg/ml of serum percolated through a column. The greater the amount of entrapped IgG, the more the columns can be re-used. It is shown that the GFG supports have great potential for isolating various macromolecules utilizing specific ligands.