Apparatus and method for storing proteins

Abstract

An apparatus for the storage of a protein ( 20 ) comprising a first compartment ( 30 ) for storing the protein ( 20 ) and a second compartment ( 40 ) for storing an alkaline buffer ( 50 ), the second compartment ( 40 ) being in fluid communication with the first compartment ( 30 ) is described. In one preferential embodiment of the invention, the alkaline buffer comprises calcium ions which encourage the gelling of the protein ( 20 ). A method for the storage of a protein ( 20 ) is also described. The method comprises: a first step of placing the protein in a first storage compartment ( 30 ); a second step of exposing the protein ( 20 ) to an alkaline buffer ( 50 ); and a third step of maintaining the protein ( 20 ) in the alkaline atmosphere in the first storage compartment ( 30 ).

1 . Apparatus for the storage of a protein comprising a first compartment for storing the protein and a second compartment for storing an alkaline buffer, the second compartment being in fluid communication with the first compartment.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline buffer contains calcium ions.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline buffer is selected from the group of alkaline buffers including ammonia solutions, ammonium acetate, ammonium formate, tris/HCl, HEPES, PIPES, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate or a mixture of these.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkaline buffer contains 50-700 mM calcium ions.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the alkaline buffer also contains sodium azide.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  where at least part of the surface of the inner walls of the first compartment are formed from or coated with a material with low surface energy.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the alkaline buffer is in a gaseous form.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  in which the alkaline buffer is separated from the protein by a dialysis membrane.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is mixed with an alkaline solution.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is mixed with at least one alkaline buffer salt or salts.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one alkaline buffer salt or salts also contains sodium azide, phenyl thiourea, sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the alkaline solution comprises ammonium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, ammonium formate, ammonium citrate, tris/HCl, PIPES, HEPES, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate buffer, or a mixture comprising two or more of the foregoing.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pH of the alkaline buffer is greater than 7.4.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the concentration of the alkaline buffer or combined buffers is equal to or greater than 0.025M  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is a natural, regenerated or recombinant protein, a mixture of natural proteins, a mixture of regenerated proteins or a mixture of recombinant proteins.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is fibroin or spidroin or a homolog thereof.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the proteins are repetitive amphiphilic block co-polymeric proteins or protein analogs containing charged groups and which are prepared by chemical synthesis or genetic engineering.  
   
   
       18 . Method for the storage of a protein comprising: a first step of placing the protein in a first storage compartment; a second step of exposing the protein to an alkaline buffer; and a third step of maintaining the protein in the alkaline environment in the first storage compartment.  
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the period of time for maintaining the protein in the first storage compartment is at least one minute.  
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the alkaline buffer contains calcium ions.  
   
   
       21 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the alkaline buffer is selected from the group of alkaline buffers consisting of ammonia solutions, ammonium acetate, ammonium formate, ammonium citrate Tris/HCl, HEPES, PIPES, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate and mixtures comprising two or more of the foregoing.  
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the alkaline buffer contains 50-700 mM calcium ions.  
   
   
       23 . Method according to  claim 18 , in which the alkaline buffer is in a gaseous form.  
   
   
       24 . Method according to  claim 18  in which at least one alkaline buffer salt is added to the protein.  
   
   
       25 . Method according to  claim 24  in which the at least one alkaline buffer salt also contains sodium azide, phenyl thiourea, sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide.  
   
   
       26 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the alkaline buffer is separated from the protein by a dialysis membrane.  
   
   
       27 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the pH of the alkaline buffer is greater than 7.4.  
   
   
       28 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the protein is mixed with an alkaline solution prior to storage.  
   
   
       29 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the concentration of the alkaline buffer or combined buffers is equal to or greater than 0.025 M.  
   
   
       30 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the protein is a natural, regenerated or recombinant protein, a mixture of natural proteins, a mixture of regenerated proteins or a mixture of recombinant proteins.  
   
   
       31 . Method according to  claim 18  wherein the protein is fibroin or spidroin or a homolog thereof.  
   
   
       32 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the protein comprises protein selected from the group consisting of repetitive amphiphilic block co-polymeric proteins and protein analogs containing charged groups.  
   
   
       33 . (canceled)