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A Spring in Performance: Silica Nanosprings Boost Enzyme Immobilization in Microfluidic Channels
Donya Valikhani1, Juan M Bolivar1, Martina Viefhues2
1Institute of Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz , Petersgasse 12, 8010 Graz, Austria.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 19, 2017
Summary
Silica nanosprings dramatically enhance enzyme immobilization in microreactors, boosting biocatalytic activity and operational stability for continuous biomanufacturing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microreactors offer miniaturized analytics and continuous biomanufacturing potential.
- Limited surface area in plain microchannels restricts enzyme immobilization.
- Novel strategies are needed to increase enzyme loading and activity in microreactors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a broadly applicable method for enhancing enzyme immobilization in microchannels.
- To investigate the use of silica nanosprings for enzyme attachment.
- To improve the biocatalytic performance and operational stability of microreactors.
Main Methods:
- Coating borosilicate microchannels with silica nanosprings.
- Genetically fusing a silica-binding module to the enzyme (sucrose phosphorylase).
- Confocal fluorescence microscopy to visualize enzyme distribution.
Main Results:
- Uniform enzyme distribution within the nanospring layer.
- 4.5-fold increase in enzyme activity with nanosprings, up to 10-fold with sulfonate modification.
- 11-fold improvement in operational stability and >85% conversion retention after 840 cycles.
- Switchable steady states for product yield and productivity.
Conclusions:
- Silica nanosprings effectively enhance enzyme immobilization in microchannels.
- This method significantly boosts microreactor biocatalytic function and stability.
- The approach expands possibilities for enzyme-based continuous flow processes.
