Revolutionary Device Breaks Down Milk Protein

Teacher Colin Raston

image: Professor of Clean Technology at Flinders University, Colin Raston. see more

Credit: Flinders University

Grabbing the world’s attention by ‘unboiling’ egg protein was just the beginning for Flinders University researchers. The team has now taken a significant step in protein manipulation using an Australian-made, novel thin film microfluidic device to control the major whey protein found in cow’s, sheep’s, and other mammal’s milk – Beta-lactoglobulin (β-lactoglobulin).

The invention in focus – the Vortex Fluidic Device, has already demonstrated its potential in “un-boiling” egg protein and breaking apart the molecular bonds of carbon nanotubes. Now, the College of Science and Engineering specialists have combined the VFD with a new type of biosensor called TPE-MI, which is an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen), as reported in Particles.

The VFD, in combination with AIE technology, has paved the way for a robust method of controlling and monitoring protein denaturation and renaturation – a process of crucial importance in fields of medical discovery, as explained by Professor Youhong Tang.

Focusing in on protein misfolding and aggregation in the body, Professor Tang highlights the potential application of this technology in treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s, all associated with the accumulation of amyloid proteins.

Following the promising results seen with β-lactoglobulin, the research team is expected to extend the use of their technology on other proteins, particularly those associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

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The study, published in Particles, titled In Situ Monitored Vortex Fluidic-Mediated Protein Refolding/Unfolding Using an Aggregation-Induced Emission Bioprobe (2021) has been published in the 14th issue of Volume 26, DOI: 10.3390/ molecules26144273 https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/14/4273/htm#

Source material:

Wider Applications for Vortex Fluidic Device

New Frontier in Enzyme Chemical Processing

New Directions in Energy Storage

VFD Creates Improved Bacteria Detector

Refined Finish for More Functional Fish Oil

Acknowledgments: Q. Hu receives financial backing from Postgraduate Research Scholarships (International) for his research at Flinders University. Y. Hong and Y. Tang are supported by the Australia-China Science and Research Fund – Joint Research Centre on Personal Health Technologies. This work is also supported by the Australia Research Council (DP200101106).

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