Molecularly imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) based cryogel for albumin depletion from human serum.

Macroporous cryogels imprinted with human serum albumin (HSA) have been prepared by copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a functional co-monomer of N-methacryloyl-L-phenylalanine. The cryogels were used for the depletion of HSA from human serum. HSA-imprinted cryogels were prepared with gel fraction yields up to 90%, and their chemical structure, morphology and porosity were characterized by FTIR-spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, swelling studies and flow dynamics. Selective binding experiments were performed in the presence of competitive proteins like human transferrin and myoglobin. Albumin-imprinted cryogel column was optimized for fast protein liquid chromatography. Sodium-dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to show the efficiency of albumin depletion.