Protein-based adsorber materials

Protein-based adsorbent materials for the removal of uremic toxins from blood

Chronic kidney disease affects nearly one in ten people worldwide. A central goal of current research is to develop new treatment methods that are cost-effective and easily integrated into clinical practice. This project focuses on the development of a sustainable adsorbent material for the removal of uremic toxins from the blood. These toxins are bound to plasma proteins and therefore cannot be effectively removed using conventional dialysis methods. To address this challenge, the aim is to develop a biocompatible and blood-compatible adsorbent material with high affinity for the target toxins.

The adsorbent material for uremic toxin removal is based on proteins derived from human ferritin. Ferritin, a container-like protein with a well-defined surface, is modified through protein design to bind uremic toxins with high affinity inside its cavity.

Publication online: "Assembly of chemically modified protein nanocages into 3D materials for the adsorption of uremic toxins"