Biocompatible macroporous silica monoliths with entrapped proteins

The preparation of capillary columns containing entrapped proteins using sol-gel process was described. The properties of the columns were such that proteins were retained within the gel in active form, and had little or no non-specific binding. It was found that most poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is entrapped within the gel phase and adsorbed on the surface of silica particles during sol-gel processes and phase separation. It was also found that increasing the amount of hydrophilic polymer in the sol results in loss of protein.