17 July 2024 | Simona Bianco, Muhammad Hasan, Ashfaq Ahmad, Sarah-Jane Richards, Bart Dietrich, Matthew Wallace, Qiao Tang, Andrew J. Smith, Matthew I. Gibson, Dave J. Adams
The article presents a novel approach to stabilize and release proteins from supramolecular gels, addressing the challenges of cold-chain management in the distribution of biological therapies. The authors designed a stiff hydrogel that prevents protein denaturation even at high temperatures (up to 50 °C) and can release pure, excipient-free protein through mechanical means, such as syringe filtration. This method overcomes the limitations of current technologies, which often require complex formulations, chemical triggers, or energy-intensive storage conditions. The gels are formed using low-molecular-weight gelators that self-assemble into stiff, low-strain-breaking networks. The gelator components are trapped in the syringe filter, ensuring that only the protein and buffer are delivered. The approach is scalable, versatile, and practical, offering a solution for the equitable and cost-effective delivery of biologics worldwide. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the gels in maintaining protein function, even after prolonged storage and aggressive agitation, and shows that the released protein retains its biological activity.The article presents a novel approach to stabilize and release proteins from supramolecular gels, addressing the challenges of cold-chain management in the distribution of biological therapies. The authors designed a stiff hydrogel that prevents protein denaturation even at high temperatures (up to 50 °C) and can release pure, excipient-free protein through mechanical means, such as syringe filtration. This method overcomes the limitations of current technologies, which often require complex formulations, chemical triggers, or energy-intensive storage conditions. The gels are formed using low-molecular-weight gelators that self-assemble into stiff, low-strain-breaking networks. The gelator components are trapped in the syringe filter, ensuring that only the protein and buffer are delivered. The approach is scalable, versatile, and practical, offering a solution for the equitable and cost-effective delivery of biologics worldwide. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the gels in maintaining protein function, even after prolonged storage and aggressive agitation, and shows that the released protein retains its biological activity.