| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C517660/1 |
| Title: |
Biocompatible carbon adsorbents for blood purification |
| Principal Investigator: |
Malik, Dr DJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Loughborough University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
01 October 2005 |
Ends: |
30 September 2007 |
Value (£): |
124,332
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Medical science & disease |
Separation Processes |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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A number of clinical conditions such as the loss of kidney function (e.g. in end-stage renal disease) and liver function (e.g. in liver failure) result in elevated concentrations of macromolecules such as proteins and polypeptides in the blood of patients. The high concentrations of these molecules (arising as a consequence of metabolic processess in the body) in the blood of patients makes them very unwell, forcing them to spend a considerable amount of time in hospital. Current treatment of patients with renal disease involves blood dialysis, which allows diffusion of small molecules e.g. water, salts, urea etc. across a semipermeable membrane into dialysis fluid (this is made up of ultra pure water and salts mimicking the physiological composition of blood plasma). Unfortunately, during haemodialysis, the so-called middle (i.e. medium sized) molecules are not removed effectively since the membrane pores are not large enough to allow middle molecules to pass (or permeate) through the membrane. Increasing the pore size of membranes risks contamination of blood by bacteria and endotoxins (present in the dialysis fluid on the other side of the membrane) and loss of the large blood proteins that are essential to life.This research proposal is aimed at developing high surface area microstructured carbon based adsorbents having a well developed pore structure that resembles a sponge and hence permits the soaking up (adsorption) of middle molecules from blood. The process is called blood filtration or haemoperfusion. Blood from the patient is removed from the body using a catheter, passed through a column containing the carbon (very much like the domestic Brita filter for softening water to be used for tea). The middle molecules harmful for the patient are removed by the process of adsorption as they stick to the surface of the carbon, and the cleansed blood is returned back to the patient.A problem often encountered when blood comes into contact with an artificial surface is that the body has a well developed immune system that recognises the surface as being alien to it and thus initiates emergency measures to attack and destroy it (this is called activation of the immune system). A carbon adsorbent column that filters contaminated patient's blood must be biocompatible i.e. it must not activate the immune system, nor should it damage the cells that are essential to the proper functioning of the body. An aim of this project is to develop surface modification methods that will improve biocompatibility of carbons and permit their effective use in blood purification therapies.Development of a combined dialysis and adsorption-based detoxification system, where the adsorbent column effectively removes the middle molecules whilst the dialyser efficiently clears the excess water and small molecular weight molecules, would be an ideal solution. This technology would substantially reduce the cost of acute and chronic renal treatment. Ultimately, the health service and the whole of society will benefit from implementation of the results of this project.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lboro.ac.uk |