title: Transition of Solvent Interaction Research from Basic Science to Applied Science.
abstract: As a graduate course student, I studied the aggregation behavior of the wheat protein gluten, induced by changes in pH and ionic strength, thus beginning my research career in the field of solvent effects. The following 5 years were spent as a post-doctoral reseracher in the U.S., focused on protein-solvent interactions, which, according to my advisor, Dr. Timasheff, was too basic to be supported by academic grants. This study, however, answered a number of questions about how different solvents affect behavior of proteins in solution, e.g., a solubility behavior known as Hofmeister series. This research experience landed me an R&amp;D position at a startup biotech company, Amgen, where knowledge on solvents played a fundamental role in protein refolding, formulation and chromatography. This demonstrates the unanticipated possibility that an un-funded, basic academic science study earlier can be transitioned later into an industrially-significant applied science.
authors.affiliation: Alliance Protein Laboratories, 6042 Cornerstone Court West, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92121.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arakawa
mesh_terms: D005983:Glutens / Q000378:metabolism*; D066329:Protein Aggregates; D058849:Protein Refolding; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D066329:Protein Aggregates; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D005983:Glutens