The selective separation of biomolecules such as DNA and proteins through nanopores appears to be a promising technique for characterizing, counting, and sequencing these species. The patent describes a technique that can be used for this purpose, to separate proteins using a specific protein dependent electric field across a nanoporous polymer exclusion membrane. It states that at low electric fields, certain proteins do not pass through the membrane but at high electric fields they do. Thus, it can selectively remove proteins from a mixture or can trap proteins at one membrane in a series of membranes.
Title – Method for voltage-gated protein fractionation
Patent holder – Sandia Nat’l Labs
Patent Number- 8,163,154
Link – https://ip.sandia.gov/patent.do/ID=2091
