New Filtration System Removes Prions

A new filtration system for removing prions and infectious and self-replicating proteins from biologic fluids has been developed.

The new filter technology, which was developed by Pall Corporation (East Hills, NY, USA), removes prions to below the level of detection by both Western Blot assays and infectivity studies from scrapie-infected red blood cell concentrates.
In the biologic laboratory, the new filters will have immediate application for the removal of prions from the animal growth factors and sera used in tissue culture procedures. Another potential application may be found in the filtration of serum before use in transfusions. The new technology will complement the Pall Ultipor 25 Breathing System Filter, used in anesthesia and respiratory procedures, which has been validated as a prion transmission barrier.

Dr. Jerold Martin, global technical director of Pall Corporation, said, "Although biotech companies are striving to develop protein-based therapies that are serum-free, the reality is that many products currently use bovine serum-supplemented culture media. As concerns grow about the potential for BSE contamination, membrane filtration technology is increasingly being recognized and used as an effective method to remove prions to significantly reduce the risk of BSE contamination.”



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