TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: SmartBind pH Switch

This innovation from scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory is a significant improvement on a gold standard protein purification method that gently captures and releases antibodies using mild pH changes, making antibody purification safer, more efficient, and less damaging.

The Challenge: Purifying antibodies — vital tools in medicine and research — typically relies on a protein called Protein G that latches onto them. However, getting the antibodies back off this molecular “magnet” requires very acidic conditions, which can damage both the antibodies and Protein G itself. This harsh process risks ruining expensive materials and reducing the effectiveness of critical therapies and tests.

Problems Solved: Researchers engineered a pH-switchable version of Protein G that uses gentle changes in acidity (pH) to control when it releases antibodies, it now binds antibodies at a mildly acidic pH and releases at a mildly basic pH — eliminating the need for harsh chemicals. This innovation protects sensitive proteins, improves efficiency, lowers costs, and opens the door for safer, greener, and more effective antibody purification in both labs and industry.

Key Advantages: Gentle elution conditions: Antibodies are released at a mild pH (~8.2) instead of harsh acidic conditions (~2.7), reducing damage to both the antibodies and the protein itself. Improved antibody stability and yield: Preserving antibody structure increases reliability and effectiveness, which is especially critical for therapeutic and diagnostic use. Switchable binding mechanism: pH-sensitive histidine residues allow for a controlled "on/off" switch based on pH, improving process control and reproducibility. Cost-effective and scalable: Reduces loss of expensive antibodies and minimizes the need for post-purification repair or replacement, saving money in industrial applications.

Market Applications: Biopharmaceuticals Life Sciences Research Bioprocessing and Manufacturing Tools Veterinary and Agricultural Biotech Development Status: TRL 4 US Provisional / Patent No. 10,954,275 LA-UR-25-29451

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Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology. https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search