Aptamer-functionalized membranes are a promising platform for toxin removal and small-molecule decontamination. Traditionally, the aptamers become saturated and after some point are unable to bind the toxin of interest and regeneration of aptamer binding capacity requires heat and multiple washes to restore the aptamer. Additionally, bound molecules can be eluted into water sources, resulting in recontamination. Herein, we propose to enable facile regeneration for aptamer-bound membranes by the tandem use of aptamers and enzymes to trap and degrade small-molecule contaminants. To demonstrate this approach, we developed an enzyme-aptamer-functionalized membrane that sequesters and degrades the small-molecule contaminant bisphenol A (BPA) from water, as a proof-of-concept. We show that BPA is not only depleted, but also degraded as the membrane is able to be reused for multiple cycles without any treatment. In result, this research results in an autonomously self-regenerating purification system, that can be used for the removal of multiple small-molecule contaminants.

Co-immobilization of enzymes and aptamers to create self-regenerating ultrafiltration membranes for toxin removal

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