Membrane Processes in Bioseparations

The focus of this session is in the technologies and applications of membrane processes in bioseparation. Ultrafiltration is used extensively as a means of concentration, solvent removal and buffer exchange by diafiltration, virus removal, protein purification and fractionation. For the latter, of particular interest is in fractionation of binary proteins by exploiting the difference in the protein physical properties with respect to the membrane such as but not limited to charge, size and permeability. Also of interest are topics on concentration polarization; flux enhancement; critical flux; effect of ionic strength, pH, membrane charge on ultrafiltration; and challenging applications, such as therapeutic plasmid DNA production. New innovative applications of ultrafiltration in various bioprocessing (medical, drug, material synthesis, etc.) are also of interest. Nanofiltration finds applications, among several, such as concentation of biosuspension, removal of impurities present as monovalent ions and salts while retaining diavalent ions and salts in biosuspension. Other unique applications of nanofiltration for bioseparation are also of interest.