JOLANTA LIESIENE

Associated Professor and Deputy Dean

Faculty of Chemical Technology

Kaunas University of Technology
Radvilenu pl. 19
LT-3028 Kaunas

Lithuania

 

Phone +370 7 451499
Fax +370 7 451582
jolanta.liesiene@ctf.ktu.lt

Education
1979 Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, Doctor of Science (Ph.D)

1969 Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, Diploma Engineer

 

Professional Memberships

Senate of Kaunas University of Technology

Board of the Faculty of Chemical Technology

European Federation of Biotechnology

Lithuanian Chemical Society

 

Research Interests

Cellulose chemistry and physics

Synthesis of packings for liquid chromatography of proteins

Liquid chromatography of biopolymers

Controlled drug delivery systems

 

Other Information

IWISE (International Women in Science and Technology) fellow

 

Teaching

Courses on Analytical and Preparative Chromatography,

Chemistry and Technology of Cosmetics

 

Research projects

Synthesis of Packing for Chromatography of Proteins 

Our group has developed new cellulosic semi-rigid matrix called Granocel with regulated pore size accessible for molecules till MM=2000000. Based on this matrix, we have synthesized anion-exchangers, cation-exchangers, sorbents for hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), metal chelating sorbents for immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) with different ligand content.

 

In co-operating with biotechnologists we work on preparative chromatography of biological active materials, such as a-interferon, human growth hormone. Immobilized metal affinity chromatography on Chelat-Granocel, of a different content of ligand, was examined as a method for the purification of recombinant human growth hormone, somatotropin. Human growth hormone was found to exhibit high affinity to chelating support charged with Cu(II). One step of immobilized metal affinity chromatography on Chelat-Granocel gives 80% purification of the protein. It was shown that the protein retention depends highly on the ligand density. By regulating sorbent ligand density the favorable desorption was achieved.

 

Presently we are developing packings for high-pressure chromatography of proteins, by coating silica with hydrophilic polymers, such as cellulose and its derivatives. Porous silica gels have excellent mechanical properties, however, negatively charged silanol groups exposed on the surface of silica cause a strong, even irreversible, nonspecific sorption of proteins. Moreover, silica gels are not stable in alkaline conditions. One of the ways to avoid these disadvantages is coating silica with hydrophilic polymers.  We are currently studying adsorption of cellulose derivatives on silica surface.

 


 

Application of Cellulose Derivatives for Controlled Drug Release

Among the polymers used in controlled drug delivery systems cellulose derivatives are most popular due to their biodegradability, non-toxicity and low price. In our work water-soluble cellulose derivatives with tertiary amine groups were synthesised and evaluated for controlled drug delivery. Our current emphases in this project are studies of the effect of amino groups on release profile of drugs. It was found that in the case of acidic drug concomitantly with usual mechanisms, such as drug diffusion, polymer erosion, ionic interaction contributes to drug release rate. Pressing properties of the polymers are evaluated as well.

Selected Publications

K.Racaityte, J.Liesiene, K.Radzevicius. Anion exchange chromatography of proteins. Effect of charged groups of stationary phase on protein binding. J.Liquid Chromatography & Related Technics, 2001, in press.

J.Liesiene, K.Racaityte, M.Morkeviciene, P.Valancius, V.Bumelis. Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography of Human Growth Hormone: Effect of Ligand Density. Journal of Chromatography A, 764 (1997) 27-33.

A.Maruska, J.Liesiene, A.Serys. Regulation of cellulose-based adsorbent granule morphology. Journal of Chromatography A, 746, .147-160 (1996).

A.Serys, J.Liesiene, J.Urbonaviciene, A.Maruska, K.Radzevicius, D.Valatkeviciute, V.Bumelis. Preparation and characterization of cellulose based adsorbents for large scale hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Journal of Liquid Chromatography, 17, 748-760 (1994).

A.Maruska, A.Serys, J.Liesiene, J.Urbonaviciene, A.Zygas. Evaluation of morphological structure of packings by gel permeation chromatography. Journal of Chromatography, 596, 157-164 (1992).

A.Maruska, J.Liesiene, A.Serys. The method for preparing granulated cellulose. Lithuanian patent, Nr.2299 (1993).