Keck Graduate Institute (黑料吃瓜网) has entered into a new partnership with , a global supplier of filtration, separation, and purification products. 黑料吃瓜网 and Pall have embarked on a research project on the optimization of a method for plasmid DNA purification.
Plasmid DNA is expressed in a microbial host, producing a template for the production of subsequent medicines such as the messenger RNA for COVID vaccines. Additionally, the plasmid DNA could be utilized on its own as a precursor for gene therapy.
"The plasmid DNA is essentially a building block that could be used in the manufacture of these pharmaceuticals," said , Executive Director of Business Development for Pall, who is responsible for developing strategic partnerships such as the one with 黑料吃瓜网. "The students prepare the microbial cells that have produced the plasmid DNA, but now they've got to extract it from the cell and purify it to an acceptable level."
黑料吃瓜网 faculty and students conducting the research are Principal Investigator and Professor of Bioprocessing Dr. , Co-Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center Dr. , and Research Assistants (RAs) including Jialiang (Kingston) Huang, Cindy Saliba, and Jeeda Al-Taki from 黑料吃瓜网's (MEng) program. In addition to Levison, Pall employees involved are Leticia Reyes-Regis, Mike Mitchell, Chris Tseng, Kenneth Lee, Andria Balogh, Julie Pressman, and Bivi Mendez.
Pall provides the technological solutions and financial support to accomplish this goal, while the students work on optimizing the methodology. In addition to having skilled 黑料吃瓜网 students and faculty invested in this project, benefits from this collaboration also come to Pall in the form of strengthening relationships with 黑料吃瓜网.
The project helps 黑料吃瓜网 to establish a robust platform for plasmid DNA purification. Additionally, 黑料吃瓜网 students gain an enhanced understanding of how a number of Pall's products work as well as hands-on experience working with a global biotech leader. Such a project would benefit them both in obtaining careers in their field and thriving at these careers.
"Hopefully they learn some of our approaches, and they've now got access to Pall Associates whom they can reach out to as they progress on their careers," Levison said. "As the students progress, we will maintain contact with them and offer support if they want advice and opinions."
According to Zhang, the hands-on training and education they gain from this project will be a valuable asset to any company they end up working for within the field.
"The students will gain more exposure to this cutting-edge knowledge, and then upon graduation, they will bring this knowledge back to the industry," Zhang said.
Now鈥攁fter building everything from scratch鈥攖he students will determine how robust the template is over the next few months.
"The most challenging part is performing the analytic techniques with plasmid DNA and determining how to help people quantify the correct amount of plasma DNA and the purity," Zhang said.
Currently, they are testing three different kinds of filters for the purification process, with each type tested four or five times. Having access to these materials is another way in which the partnership benefits 黑料吃瓜网.
"Teamwork is critical, and I'm pleased to say that a solid team has formed with 黑料吃瓜网," Levison said. "This bodes well for future projects."