Emulsion-derived particles

Abstract

An emulsion-derived particle includes a lattice of polymeric strands cross-linked by means of a cross-linking agent, and interstitial openings adjacent and around the strands. Functional groups are provided on the lattice and proteins and/or modified proteins can react with these, thereby to be bonded to the lattice and hence immobilized.

1 . An emulsion-derived particle, which comprises a lattice of polyethyleneimine strands cross-linked by means of a cross-linking agent, interstitial openings adjacent and around the strands, and functional groups on the lattice and with which proteins and/or modified proteins can react, thereby to be bonded to the lattice and hence immobilised. 
     
     
         2 . A particle according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional groups are present on the polyethyleneimine, and are selected so that bonding of the proteins and/or modified proteins to the polyethyleneimine can be effected through one or more of covalent bonding, ionic bonding, hydrophobic bonding, and affinity bonding which can be effected through modification of the lattice to provide this functionality. 
     
     
         3 . A particle according to  claim 1 , which includes at least one protein and/or modified protein bonded to the lattice by means of the functional groups, thereby being immobilised. 
     
     
         4 . A particle according to  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of different proteins and/or a plurality of different modified proteins, are immobilised therein. 
     
     
         5 . A particle according to  claim 1 , inclusive, which includes an adjunct entrapped within the lattice. 
     
     
         6 . A particle according to  claim 5 , wherein the adjunct is selected from the group consisting of a co-factor, a modified co-factor, a chemical mediator, magnetite and a magnetic substance. 
     
     
         7 . A process for producing particles, which includes
 providing an emulsion of droplets of a first liquid phase dispersed in a second liquid phase, with the one liquid phase being an aqueous phase and the other being an oil phase, and with the aqueous phase containing a polymer dissolved therein as well as a cross-linking agent dissolved therein;   allowing the cross-linking agent to cross-link strands of the polymer, thereby to form particles, each of which includes a lattice of strands of the polymer, cross-linked by means of the cross-linking agent, interstitial openings adjacent and around the strands, and functional groups on the lattice and with which proteins and/or modified proteins can react, thereby to be bonded to the lattice and hence immobilised.   
     
     
         8 . A process for producing particles, which includes
 providing a first emulsion of droplets of a first liquid phase dispersed in a second liquid phase, with the one liquid phase being an aqueous phase and the other being an oil phase, and with the aqueous phase containing a polymer dissolved therein;   combining a second emulsion of droplets of a first liquid phase dispersed in a second liquid phase, with the one liquid phase being an aqueous phase and the other being an oil phase, and with the aqueous phase containing a cross-linking agent dissolved therein, with the first emulsion;   allowing the cross-linking agent to cross-link strands of the polymer, thereby to form particles, each of which includes a lattice of strands of the polymer, cross-linked by means of the cross-linking agent, interstitial openings adjacent and around the strands, and functional groups on the lattice and with which proteins and/or modified proteins can react, thereby to be bonded to the lattice and hence immobilised.   
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymer is polyethyleneimine. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 7 , which includes adding an adjunct at least to one of the phases, so that the adjunct is entrapped within the lattices of the particles. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 7 , which includes recovering the particles, and drying the recovered particles. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 11 , which includes adding an adjunct to the recovered particles before the drying of the particles, so that the adjunct becomes entrapped within the lattices of the particles. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 10 , wherein the adjunct is selected from the group consisting of a co-factor, a modified co-factor, a chemical mediator, magnetite and/or a magnetic substance. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 12 , wherein the adjunct is selected from the group consisting of a co-factor, a modified co-factor, a chemical mediator, magnetite and a magnetic substance. 
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 8 , wherein the polymer is polyethyleneimine. 
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 8 , which includes adding an adjunct at least to one of the phases, so that the adjunct is entrapped within the lattices of the particles. 
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 8 , which includes recovering the particles, and drying the recovered particles. 
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 17 , which includes adding an adjunct to the recovered particles before the drying of the particles, so that the adjunct becomes entrapped within the lattices of the particles. 
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the adjunct is selected from the group consisting of a co-factor, a modified co-factor, a chemical mediator, magnetite and a magnetic substance. 
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein the adjunct is selected from the group consisting of a co-factor, a modified co-factor, a chemical mediator, magnetite and a magnetic substance.