Preparation of cryogels for biotechnological applications

In this thesis, metal chelating ligand immobilized cryogels were prepared, physically and chemically characterized, and their performance in various applications was examined. For this purpose, poly(HEMA-GMA) cryogels were synthesized, firstly. Then, these cryogels were functionalized with metal chelating N-Vinyl formamide ligand and made suitable for coordination with metal ions. After this stage, polymeric cryogels were first loaded with copper and zinc ions. The chromatographic performance of immobilized metal affinity-based cryogel columns (poly(HEMA-GMA)-NVFCu2+ and poly(HEMA-GMA)-NVF-Zn2+) was examined as BSA protein adsorption and then purification from aqueous solution. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed using a purity test. Another application, this time, was aimed at developing the antibacterial properties of cryogels by growing silver particles in cryogels with different methods. Composite poly(HEMA-GMA)-NVF cryogels containing silver particles were subjected to antibacterial tests against E.Coli and B.Subtilis. As a result, it was determined that the antibacterial performance of cryogels containing silver particles was improved compared to poly(HEMA-GMA)-NVF cryogels. In line with these results, various biotechnological aspects of the cryogels prepared within the scope of the thesis study were thus evaluated.