Electrophoresis across liquid membranes – extraction of peptides according to isoelectric point

Peptides are small pieces of protein, and certain peptides are used as drugs or as markers of disease. Therefore, measurement of peptides in human blood samples is very important, and hospitals perform a large number of such measurements. Prior to said measurements, extraction of the peptides of interest from the blood sample is required, because blood samples are too complex for direct measurement by current laboratory instruments. In this project, we will explore and develop electromembrane extraction (EME) for extraction of peptides from human blood samples. EME is a new extraction principle, where chemical substances (such as peptides) are extracted from a given sample (such as human blood), across an artificial liquid membrane and into an acceptor solution. The acceptor solution is compatible with laboratory instruments, and the chemical substances are measured with high degree of reliability in the acceptor solution. The unique feature of EME is that extraction is facilitated by application of an electrical field across the artificial liquid membrane. Different chemical substances can be extracted depending on the direction and magnitude of the electrical field, and depending on the chemical composition of the artificial liquid membrane. In this project, the chemical substances are peptides. The goal of the project is to develop EME into a very accurate, rapid, efficient, and green tool for extraction of peptides from human plasma, superior to existing technologies. The Project started in September 2019, it will be finished in August 2024, and one postdoctoral fellow and one PhD student are employed. I the first four years of the project, we have focused on the chemical conditions in the liquid membrane, sample, and acceptor, to understand and control the molecular interactions involved in extraction of peptides. Based on this very fundamental understanding, we will develop and optimize methods for selected peptides during the last part of the project. Experimental data from the project are published in scientific journals. EME has been commercialized by a Norwegian company, and the experimental data from the project are of high importance for the acceptance of the EME concept by the scientific community.

Electromembrane extraction (EME) involves electrophoresis across a liquid membrane, and internationally this new separation principle is under investigation for potential applications in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacy. The current project will focus on fundamental development of EME for highly selective extraction of peptides from human blood samples based on their isoelectric point (isoelectric EME). The ultimate goal of the project is to develop isoelectric EME into a totally new green chemistry tool for laboratories involved in peptide and protein analysis, providing (1) high selectivity, (2) high efficiency, (3) high throughput, and (4) low costs. The research will include (a) development of the scientific theory and understanding of isoelectric EME, (b) development of isoelectric EME into 96-well technology, and (c) demonstration of selected biomedical applications of isoelectric EME. The project will thus consist of fundamental research and applications thereof. The project will be of high relevance for a broad range of scientific disciplines, including analytical chemistry, medical diagnostics, medical research, pharmaceutical research, drug development, forensic toxicology, and doping in sports. Development of commercial equipment is expected as spin-off from this project.