Magnetic nanoparticles for purification of biomolecules: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The purification and/or concentration of biomolecules from complex mixtures constitutes one of the fundamental steps in the processes involved in biotechnology and, in particular, in the diagnostic methods of human and veterinary diseases. Most purification procedures are based on the interaction between a solid phase and the biomolecule to be purified (RNA, DNA, proteins, etc.), involving several steps with dependence on the method used. Among the different approaches, the use of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has become of increasing interest due to its efficiency, practicality and the possibility of automation. In this work we present preliminary results on the use of MNPs for the purification of nucleic acids and recombinant proteins.