Immobilization of Transferrin in Swellable Organically Modified Silica for Remediation of Heavy Metal Ions

Name: Shiropa Shahreen
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Minor: Statistical and Data Sciences
Advisor: Paul Edmiston

Bioadsorption of metal ions through proteins is selective and non-polluting, and has been a promising field, but no protein has been studied in an immobilized state for water purification. The goal of the project was to test if immobilized metal ion binding transferrin could adsorb Fe³⁺ from solution. The results of the experiment show SOMS binds more Fe³⁺ (885 μg/g in total) than immobilized transferrin. Although large amounts of transferrin is bound into SOMS, immobilized transferrin does not appear to bind any Fe³⁺. The loss of iron binding affinity may be due to loss of conformation flexibility. FT-IR shows immobilized transferrin have the peaks at 1415 cm^-1 and 1560 cm^-1 present, which free transferrin with iron bound does not have. An interesting finding was that SOMS, which is hydrophobic, bound Fe³⁺ of 885 ug/g of which 64% could not be removed, despite an EDTA rinse which has a strong binding affinity.

Posted in Comments Enabled, Independent Study, Symposium 2023 on April 14, 2023.

2 responses to “Immobilization of Transferrin in Swellable Organically Modified Silica for Remediation of Heavy Metal Ions”

1. Emma Lee says:

   April 20, 2023 at 6:15 pm

   What was the hardest part of carrying out all the experiments?

2. Torence says:

   April 20, 2023 at 10:15 pm

   Great work!! Were there any surprising results or outcomes during the course of your research?