Biomolecular Separations
Research Group

Advanced mRNA Purification

Facing an industry still dependent on slow, diffusion-limited chromatography, the Belfort Group is reimagining mRNA purification with convection-driven membrane platforms that deliver speed, scalability, and higher purity. As one example of this versatility, we are pursuing a three-pronged strategy: polymer-modified ligand-less membranes to strip away dsRNA through hydrogen bonding and anion exchange, oligo-dT affinity membranes to capture intact polyadenylated mRNA, and novel peptide ligands to selectively target key immunogenic impurities. Beyond developing new chemistries, we are also optimizing ligand spacing and grafting density to maximize binding efficiency, while applying AFM force measurements to connect single-molecule interactions with large-scale process design.