Das Lehrgebiet BioVT ist Co-Autor bei einer Veröffentlichung des Umweltcampus Birkenfeld (AK Kampeis) über das Agglomerationsverhalten von Magnetpartikeln bei der Aufarbeitung von mRNA in der Zeitschrift "Engineering in Life Sciences".

Magnetic beads have gained importance in the purification of mRNA-based vaccines. They serve as adsorbents for the mRNA. Through several steps of magnetic separation followed by redispersion of the magnetic beads for washing and elution, the mRNA can be isolated. This is usually done on a mL scale. To obtain larger amounts of mRNA, flow-through magnetic separation using high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) can be advantageous. Here, the suspension to be processed is then usually in a stirred feed tank. Due to particle-particle interactions, a not inconsiderable agglomeration may occur, especially due to the attached mRNA. This can reduce the mRNA yield. Furthermore, for economic reasons it is necessary to perform magnetic particle recycling, for which there are various process alternatives. With regard to a possible use of HGMS in a mRNA production for vaccines, particle size distributions were determined to investigate the agglomerating or de-agglomerating effect of different process steps.

L. Wommer, W.A. Soerjawinata, R. Ulber, P. Kampeis; Agglomeration behaviour of magnetic microparticles during separation and recycling processes in mRNA purification; EngLifSci. (2021) http://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.202000112