Downstream Processing of Viral Vaccines

The project focuses on chromatographic methods (size exclusion, anion exchange). Inactivated antigen for parallel investigations using different matrices or operating conditions is produced in roller bottles (1-2 L wv) and microcarrier bioreactors (2.5-4 L wv). Chromatography media will be tested in group separation mode to remove bulk protein from the virus. The objective is to maximize purity, viral yield, throughput and cycle times. Ion exchange chromatography will be operated in negative mode (virus in flow-through). Negatively charged species (mainly nucleic acids) are to be retained by the matrix. The aim is a high reduction in host cell DNA (below detection limit) combined with high recovery of the virus.