Improving the Performance of a Sol−Gel-Entrapped Metal-Binding Protein by Maximizing Protein Thermal Stability before Entrapment

We show that the performance of a sol−gel-entrapped protein can be improved substantially by maximizing the protein thermodynamic stability so that it can withstand the harsh conditions associated with entrapment. Two mutants of the calcium-binding protein oncomodulin were entrapped into optically clear tetraethyl orthosilicate-derived monoliths which were prepared by a two-step sol−gel processing method. The first mutant contained a single …