SEPARATION

Cost-efficient production of purification/separation materials

The outer membrane of E. coli cells carrying a heterologous protein/enzyme (e.g. an antigen) can be stripped off selectively and separated from the cell debris. When adhered to hydrophobic surfaces (e.g. separation materials) the asymmetric assembly of the outer membrane enables a control of orientation of the outer membrane on the surface in that way that the inner part of the outer membrane is directed towards the surface. A potential application could be the functionalization of solid surfaces by display of specific proteins for cost-efficient production of purification/separation materials.