SEPARATION AND/OR CONCENTRATION OF AN ANALYTE FROM A MIXTURE USING A TWO-PHASE AQUEOUS MICELLAR SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention provides a method, device and diagnostic kit for separating and/or concentrating an analyte from a mixture containing one or more contaminants according to size using a two-phase aqueous micellar system. The methods and devices are applicable to a wide range of analytes including environmental pollutants and biological materials. Conditions for optimizing size separation of analyte and contaminant are provided and include selection of a single surfactant type or surfactant mixture, surfactant concentration and composition, temperature, pH, salt type and concentration, and the addition of polymers. The separation or concentration efficiencies can be further enhanced by repeatedly generating the two-phase aqueous systems in a multi-stage operation. This invention can be used for removing viruses from proteins following fermentation processes, as well as for concentrating viruses for vaccine manufacturing or gene therapy.