CC Biotech LLC develops bioseparations technology. The abbreviation in the company name means countercurrent chromatography, a separation method based on liquid-liquid partitioning without a solid phase-support (CCC= countercurrent chromatograph(y)). The stationary phase containing the sample is held in a centrifuged spiral flow path due to planetary motion while the mobile phase eluted through the spiral coil separates the impurities. Heretofore successful lab instruments have been limited to small molecule separations. New patents developed at the National Institutes of Health extend this technique with its attendant versatility to larger molecules, such as peptides, proteins and other polymers (DNA). Novel designs of countercurrent hromatography (CCC) rotors have come out of the research of the NIH scientist, Yoichiro Ito. Spiral disk and spiral tubing rotors are capable of retaining the heavy alcohol and 2-phase aqueous solvent systems useful for separating large molecules. Thus proteins can be purified in non-denaturing solvents. This opens up many applications for bio-molecule purification. From the difficult-to-dissolve membrane proteins to the very large modified molecules, labeled for delivery or diagnostics, all can now be purified for optimal function. Spiral CCC serves as a versatile tool for the biosynthetic chemist and chromatographer. Now all types of 2-phase solvent systems can be used to separate all kinds of molecules. CC Biotech LLC established to license the new patents from the NIH, is now manufacturing these new rotors for the research laboratory. The firm plans to make available the tools and reagents for spiral CCC.
