Rheometry is an important analytical tool for measuring biomolecular interactions and its closely associated physical properties, including viscosity and molecular interactions of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). These properties affect downstream processing and manufacturing steps (filtration, pumping, and filling), delivery (including syringibility), and can be used to understand the propensity for protein-protein aggregation at air-liquid and oil-liquid interfaces. In this talk, I will provide an overview of rheometry and related techniques, including micro- and bulk-rheometry, interfacial rheometry, and tensiometry. I will discuss the relationship between MAb rheology in solution and at interfaces with their molecular interactions, including their dependence on concentration, temperature, and composition. Finally, I will focus on the interfacial rheology of adsorbed MAbs. Since few techniques can measure the material properties of MAb layers while adsorbed to a fluid interface, the viscoelastic behavior that is revealed in these experiments provides important insight into their propensity to form aggregates mediated by adsorption and desorption at fluid interfaces.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, the participant will be able to understand contemporary applications of rheometry to pharmaceutical formulations.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to describe developing techniques in interfacial rheometry to measure the properties of adsorbed proteins.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to appreciate how rheometry can be integrated into upstream analytical characterization to identify potential downstream bottlenecks and failures.
