Bioinspired nanogels for biomolecule stabilization
Vitamin B5-based nanogels offer stabilization of bioactive materials like probiotic bacteria, enzymes, and proteins under harsh conditions, including freezing and high temperatures. Ideal for agricultural use, these nanogels enhance cryopreservation and thermal stability.
Overview
Vitamin B5-based nanogels offer a groundbreaking solution for stabilizing bioactive materials such as probiotic bacteria, active enzymes, and proteins under challenging conditions. These nanogels prevent degradation at freezing temperatures and can withstand heating up to 80 degrees Celsius. Particularly promising for agricultural applications, they can maintain the stability of important microbials like alpha and beta proteobacteria, Bacillaceae, and Ascomycete fungi.
Technical specifications
Key features include:
- Stabilizes proteins, enzymes, and bacteria during both cryopreservation (-80°C and liquid nitrogen) and thermal stress (up to 80°C).
- Synthesized using a simple one-pot method, scalable to produce multiple grams.
- Demonstrated efficacy in cryopreservation of mammalian cells and bacteria.
- Maintains enzyme activity with minimal loss even at elevated temperatures for extended periods.
Technology readiness level
The technology currently stands at TRL 4, having been validated in laboratory settings. Future work will focus on long-term stability studies and specific agricultural applications, assessing microbial stability across a range of temperatures and durations.
About University of Prince Edward Island
UPEI is a comprehensive public university in Charlottetown with an applied, partnership‑oriented research culture. Companies engage through a 78,000‑sq‑ft engineering facility built for co‑creation and a client‑focused design‑clinic model, and through the veterinary teaching hospital’s services. The campus links to the provincial health system, including an on‑campus patient medical home and a new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre for interprofessional training and clinical translation. Research is backed by federal funding from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, with regional support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Research Partnerships and Innovation manages IP, licensing, industry contracts, and startup pathways, and connects partners to Charlottetown’s bioscience park.
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