Structural changes and inactivation of enzymes during drying and particle formation from levitated microdroplets

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Eberhard Bänsch; Professorin Dr. Dagmar Fischer, since 1/2021; Professor Dr.-Ing. Stefan Will
• Subject Area: Biological Process Engineering ; Pharmacy
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317536495

The first two goals of the project remain unchanged and are extended by two additional goals.1. Complete the measurements of the kinetics of the changes in aggregation (chromatography) and inactivation (biochemical) of the enzyme molecules during drying and particle formation in the levitator.2. Spectroscopy measurements of drying rate using TDLAS, and the kinetics of the changes in secondary structure elements, and the unfolding of the enzyme molecules during drying and particle formation in the levitator.3. A numeric model to describe the time dependent problems of fluid flow, heat transport/diffusion, drying and particle formation from a single droplet of the protein solution. Also included are experimental kinetic data of unfolding (also changes in secondary structure elements) as well as data on the kinetics of aggregation and inactivity.4. A new goal is interactions between protein and other formulation components, carbon hydrate, amino acids, polymers and surface active agents. These stabilize of protein during drying and particle formation in the levitator.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Geoffrey Lee, until 1/2021