Polymeric Cryogel-Based Boronate Affinity Chromatography for Separation of Ribonucleic Acid from Bacterial Extracts

Three-dimensional monolithic columns are preferred stationary phase in column chromatography. Conventional columns based on silica or particles are efficient in bioseparation though associated with limitations of nonspecific interaction and uneven porosity that causes high mass transfer resistance for the movement of big molecules. Cryogels as a monolith column have shown promising application in bioseparation. Cryogels column can be synthesized in the form of a monolith at sub-zero temperature through gelation of pre-synthesized polymers or polymerization of monomers. Cryogels are macroporous and mechanically stable materials. They have open interconnected micron-sized pores with a wide range of porosity (10-200 μm). Current protocol demonstrated the ability of poly(hydroxymethyl methacrylate)-co-vinylphenyl boronic acid p(HEMA-co-VPBA) cryogel matrix for selective separation of RNA from the bacterial crude extract.