Device for Converting Elastin-Like Polypeptide Aggregate to Soluble Form

Eric Lee, John Harrison, Albert Kwansa, Sasha Cai Lesher-Perez

Client: Dr. Darin FurgesonAdvising Professor: Dr. William Murphy

Overview of Presentation

Client research Elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) introduction Project design statement Design specifications and assumptions Proposed designs Future Work Answer questions

Client Information Dr. Darin Furgeson from Pharmaceutical

Sciences Department

Novel cancer treatment delivery system with ELP Target specific cells Non-viral Lower toxicity

Background Information on ELP Synthetic protein

Repeating pentapeptide sequence (Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly)

Hydrophobic interaction

Thermal Responsive (transition temperature, Tt)

Non-viral vector for cancer treatment delivery

Current Extraction Process Transformation of plasmid into E. coli

Transcription and translation of ELP

Extraction of ELP from inclusion body (differential centrifugation)

ELP aggregation/separation from soluble DNA

Re-suspension

Project Design Statement

Design a device with temperature control, salt extraction, and particle reduction capabilities to enhance solubility of ELP aggregate while minimizing product loss.

Design Specifications

75-80% yield of ELP

Maintenance below Tt

Durable material selection

Reduction of particle size

Portability

Assumptions for Design Mechanical stress

Various agitation methods have little degradative effects on ELP structure.

Heat Fluctuations

Changes to extreme

temperatures will not

damage ELP structural integrity.

Design #1

Cone-shaped drill

Funnel

Temperature control tank

Chilled PBS reservoirwith inlet

Device components

1. Freeze ELP in funnel

2. Initiate cone-shaped drill

3. Fall through non-stick tube

4. Descend into reservoir of cold PBS

Operation

Design #1Pros:•Frozen ELP: more manageable

Cons:•Electric power requirement due to use of motor.•Multiple parts requiring cooling.

Design #2 Operation

Place Frozen ELP on spinning blade

Force ELP through with plunger

Shavings fall in churning PBS bath

Blade

PBS Churner

Design #2 Pros

Requires less force to break down frozen ELP

Less manual intensive Faster, cleaner

Cons Very dynamic, many

moving parts Costly

Design #3 Operation

Coat screen with ELP aggregate

Submerge in cold PBS

Rotate at high speed/high torque

Non-stick Screen

PBS Tub

Motor

Shaft

Design #3 Pros

No frozen ELP Simple, easy to operate

Cons Material must meet unique

design specifications Force required to push ELP out

may be much greater than anticipated

Future Studies Analyze/test feasibility of all three designs

Determine precise design specifications Determine cost of manufacturing each design Analyze complexity of each design

Refine designs for prototype

Questions?

More Slides Chemotherapy

Non-specific Highly toxic Patients lose hair, feels sick, have no energy

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