UC Spark

Dr Simone Dimartino

Chemical and Process Engineering; Biomolecular Interaction Centre

Fields of Research

  • Characterization and functionalization of chromatographic materials
  • Mathematical modeling of transport phenomena in chromatographic media
  • Affinity chromatography for the primary capture step in downstream processing
  • Convective media for chromatographic separations
  • Wet resistant adhesives and bio-compatible adhesives
  • Protein adsoption on surfaces
  • Material characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Sectroscopy
  • Study of marine organisms for the development of bio-inspired glues

Researcher Summary

Novel chromatographic stationary phases for bio-separations:
This project aims to study a new convective chromatographic support (Capillary Channelled Polymers, C-CP) for the purification of proteins and other large biomolecules. C-CP fibres represent a promising alternative to traditional packed columns, as they are endowed with high separation performances unaffected by flow rate, optimal mass transport properties and a flexible surface that can be easily functionalized with a range of chromatographic ligands. This matrix is presently investigated to open novel and cost-effective purification strategies for the production of biopharmaceuticals

Wet-resistant bio-inspired adhesives:
Biological adhesives offer impressive performances in their natural context and have the potential to inspire novel, superior industrial adhesives for an increasing variety of high-tech applications. Goal of this project is to develop underwater biological adhesive inspired from marine organisms, with a particular focus on kelps and seaweed. The present research activities focus on the chemical and structural characterization of the adhesive secreted by New Zealand native seaweed species. A range of different experimental techniques are used to this aim, e.g. colorimetric assays, zeta potential measurements, cell cultures of seaweed propagules and Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Key Methodologies

  • Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC)
  • Aspen Custom Modeler - Aspen Software Package
  • Quartz Cristal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D)
  • Dinamic Light Scattering (DLS)
  • Controlled culture of algal species
  • Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transfor Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR)
  • Microscopic and colorimetric methods on biological samples

Publications


  • Chandrasekaran, N., Dimartino, S. and Fee, C.J. (2012) Adsorption of proteins on stainless steel surfaces. Wellington, New Zealand: Chemeca2012, 23-26 Sep 2012. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Dimartino, S., Momich, D., Schadock-Hewitt, A.J., Marcus, R.K. and Fee, C.J. (2012) Chromatographic properties of capillary-channelled polymer fibres for the purification of large biomolecules. Stowe, VT, USA: Recovery of Biological Products XV, 29 Jul-2 Aug 2012. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Randunu, K.M., Dimartino, S. and Marcus, R.K. (2012) Hydrodynamic evaluation of polypropylene capillary-channeled fibers as a stationary phase in high performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Separations Science 35(23): 3270-3280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jssc.201200523. (Journal Article)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) A mathematical model for protein purification with affinity membranes. Minneapolis, MN, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, 16-21 Oct 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) A mathematical model for protein purification with affinity membranes. Tavira, Portugal: 19th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Molecular Recognition (Affinity 2011), 16-19 Jun 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) A validated model for protein purification with affinity membranes. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: International Congress on Membranes and Membrane processes, ICOM, 23-29 Jul 2011. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) A validated model for protein purification with affinity membranes. Berlin, Germany: European Congress of Applied Biotechnology, ECAB, 25-29 Sep. 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) A validated model for the simulation of protein purification through affinity membrane chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A 1218(13): 1677-1690. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2010.11.056. (Journal Article)
  • Dimartino, S. (2011) Biomolecular Interactions on Surfaces: Research for Biotechnology Applications. University of Queensland, Australia: AIBN General Meeting, 5 May 2011. (Oral Presentation)
  • Dimartino, S. (2011) Biomolecular Interactions on Surfaces: Research for Biotechnology Applications. Modena, Italy: 6 Sep 2011. (Oral Presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Herigstad, M.O., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) Experimental evaluation and theoretical analysis of convective affinity adsorbers for chromatographic applications. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), 23-29 Jul 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., Hofer, S., Horak, J., Williams, S., Sarti, G.C. and Lindner, W. (2011) Influence of different spacer arms on mimetic ligand A2P and B14 membranes for human IgG purification. Minneapolis, MN, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 16-21 Oct 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., Hofer, S., Horak, J., Williams, S., Sarti, G.C. and Lindner, W. (2011) Influence of different spacer arms on Mimetic Ligand A2P and B14 membranes for human IgG purification. Journal of Chromatography B 879(19): 1633-1640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2011.03.059. (Journal Article)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) Influence of protein adsorption kinetics on breakthrough broadening in membrane affinity chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A 1218(26): 3966-3972. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2011.04.062. (Journal Article)
  • Dimartino, S., Herigstad, M.O., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2011) Membrane and monolithic chromatography: An experimental and theoretical analysis to assess their use in large scale applications. Boston, MA, USA: International Symposium on Preparative and Process Chromatography (PREP), 10-13 Jul 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Chandrasekaran, N. and Fee, C.J. (2011) Wet-resistant adhesives for inorganic surfaces. Bad Herrenalb, Germany: Biotranformations, 22-25 Aug 2011. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., Herigstad, M.O. and Sarti, G.C. (2010) A Comparison of Convective-Based Alternatives to Packed Bed Affinity Chromatography for the Purification of Monoclonal Antibodies. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 7-12 Nov 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Herigstad, M.O., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2010) A validated model for the simulation of convective affinity chromatography processes. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA: 14th Recovery of Biological Products Conference (RXIV), 1-6 Aug 2010. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Dimartino, S. (2010) Bio-mimetic Convective Media for Affinity Chromatography. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: Biomolecular Interaction Center Seminar, 6 Dec 2010. (Oral Presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Herigstad, M.O., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2010) Experimental evaluation and theoretical analysis of convective affinity adsorbers for chromatographic applications. Rimini, Italy: 14th International Biotechnology Symposium and Exhibition (IBS), 14-18 Sep 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Herigstad, M.O., Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2010) Full characterization and modeling of the transport, affinity-adsorption, and elution of IgG in a protein A monolithic column. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, 7-12 Nov. 2010. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Herigstad, M.O., Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2010) Full characterization and modelling of the transport and affinity-adsorption of IgG in a protein A monolithic column. Bologna, Italy: International Symposium on the Separation of Proteins, Peptides & Polynucleotides (ISPPP), 5-8 Sep. 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2009) A simulation model for membrane affinity chromatography. Montpellier, France: Euromembrane, 6-10 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2009) A validated mathematical model for the simulation of affinity membrane chromatography process. Nashville, TN, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 8-13 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2009) Affinity membranes for antibody purification. Montpellier, France: Euromembrane, 6-10 Sep. 2009. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2009) Experimental and theoretical study of membrane adsorbers for the primary capture of protein manufacturing. Washington, DC, USA: 238th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, 16-20 Aug. 2009. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2009) Novel affinity membranes for IgG purification. Nashville, TN, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, 8-13 Nov. 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S. (2009) Studio Sperimentale e Modellazione della Separazione di Proteine con Membrane di Affinita (Analysis and modelling of protein separation through affinity membranes). PhD, Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy. http://amsdottorato.cib.unibo.it/1815/1/Dimartino_Simone_tesi.pdf. (Thesis - Doctor of Philosophy)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Analysis of different affinity membranes for the primary capture step in antibody manufacturing. Philadelphia, PA, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, 16-21 Nov. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Analysis of different affinity membranes for the primary capture step in antibody manufacturing. Philadelphia, PA, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 16-21 Nov 2008. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Developments in Membrane Affinity Chromatography for Monoclonal Antibody Recovery. Honolulu, HI, USA: International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM), 12-18 Jul. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Experimental and simulation analysis of membrane adsorbers used for the primary capture step in antibody manufacturing. Naples, Italy: Industrial Biotechnology International Conference (IBIC), 8-11 Jun. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Experimental and simulation analysis of membrane adsorbers used for the primary capture step in antibody manufacturing. Chemical Engineering Transactions 14: 91-96. http://www.aidic.it/cet/08/14/013.pdf. (Journal Article)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Immunoglobulin purification with affinity membranes. Vale do Lobo, Portugal: Engineering With Membranes (EWM), 25-28 May 2008. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., Sarti, G.C., Hofer, S. and Lindner, W. (2008) Influence of different spacer arms on affinity membranes for human IgG capture. Zurich, Switzerland: Symposium on Preparative and Industrial Chromatography and Allied Techniques (SPICA), 28 Sep.-1 Oct 2008. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Isolamento primario di anticorpi monoclonali con membrane di affinità. Le Castella, Italy: Convegno GRI.C.U. 2008, 14-17 Sep. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Isolamento primario di anticorpi monoclonali con membrane di affinità. Le Castella, Italy: Convegno GRICU 2008, 14-17 Sep 2008. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Membrane adsorbers for the primary capture step in antibody manufacturing. Québec City, Canada: 13th Recovery of Biological Product Conference (RXIII), 22-27 Jun. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Modellazione della separazione di Immunoglobulina G con membrane di affinità. Le Castella, Italy: Convegno GRI.C.U. 2008, 14-17 Sep. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Modellazione della separazione di Immunoglobulina G con membrane di affinità (Modelling of the separation of immunoglobulin G using affinity membranes). Le Castella, Italy: Convegno GRICU 2008, 14-17 Sep 2008. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti G.C. (2008) Performance of a New Protein A Affinity Membrane for the Primary Recovery of Antibodies. Biotechnology Progress 24(3): 640-647. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bp0704743. (Journal Article)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., Carbonell, R. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Properties of affinity membranes for h-IgG purification. New Orleans, LA, USA: 235th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, 6-10 Apr. 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2008) Simulation of membrane affinity chromatography for immunoglobulin capture. Vale do Lobo, Portugal: Engineering With Membranes (EWM), 25-28 May 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2007) Advances in membrane affinity chromatography for the recovery of antibodies. Boston, MA, USA: 234th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition (ACS), 19-23 Aug 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2007) Developments in membrane affinity chromatography for monoclonal antibody recovery. Orlando, FL, USA: International Symposium on the Separation of Proteins, Peptides & Polynucleotides (ISPPP), 21-24 Oct 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2007) Developments in membrane affinity chromatography for monoclonal antibody recovery. Orlando, FL, USA: International Symposium on the Separation of Proteins, Peptides & Polynucleotides (ISPPP), 21-24 Oct. 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2007) Dynamic characterization of affinity membranes for monoclonal antibodies purification. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting, 4-9 Nov. 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S., Boi, C. and Sarti, G.C. (2007) Dynamic characterization of affinity membranes for monoclonal antibodies purification. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 4-9 Nov 2007. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Binding kinetics of immunoglobulins on affinity membranes. (2006) Binding kinetics of immunoglobulins on affinity membranes. San Francisco, CA: 232nd American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, 10-14 Sep. 2006. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S., van Beijeren, P. and Sarti, G.C. (2006) Evaluation of affinity membrane adsorbers for antibody purification. San Francisco, CA, USA: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting (AIChE), 12-17 Nov 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Boi, C., Dimartino, S. and Sarti, G.C. (2006) Preparation and testing of affinity membranes for the purification of monoclonal antibodies. Innsbruck, Austria: Symposium on Preparative and Industrial Chromatography and Allied Techniques (SPICA), 15-18 Oct. 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Dimartino, S. (2006) Theoretical Study of Membrane Adsorbers. Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Universität Dortmund, Germany: 24 Nov 2006. (Oral Presentation)