3D-Printed microfluidic device for protein purification in batch chromatography

Modern 3D printers enable not only rapid prototyping, but also high-precision printing-microfluidic devices with channel diameters of just a few micrometres can now be readily assembled using this technology. Such devices offer a myriad of benefits (including miniaturization) that significantly reduce sample and buffer volumes and lead to lower process costs. Although such microfluidic devices are already widely used in the field of biotechnology, there is a lack of research regarding the potential of miniaturization by 3D-printed devices in lab-scale chromatography. In this study, the efficacy of a 3D-printed microfluidic device which provides a substantially lower dead-volume compared to established chromatography systems is demonstrated for batch purification applications. Furthermore, this device enables straightforward integration of various components (such as microfluidic valves and chromatographic units) in an unprecedentedly flexible fashion. Initial proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate successful gradient elution with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the purification of a pharmaceutically relevant IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb).