Abstract: A method for separating off viruses from a protein solution by nanofiltration, comprising adding to the protein solution at least one ingredient chosen from chaotropic substances chosen from arginine, guanidine, citrulline, urea and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, and compounds chosen from polyethoxysorbitan esters and derivatives thereof, prior to the nanofiltration, in order to decrease or prevent aggregation of the protein molecules, and then filtering the solution through a filter having a pore size ranging from 15 nm to less than 35 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inactivating microorganisms especially viruses in protein containing biological compositions, especially blood, placental, serum and plasma components or derivatives solutions of human or animal origin or compositions containing proteins obtained by the extraction of vegetal or animal tissues or obtained by biotechnological techniques, i.e. by culture of natural or recombinant cells of bacterial, yeast, plant or human or animal origin thereby retaining the integrity of the desired protein at a degree suitable for its purpose. By extension the method applies to the inactivation of bacterial or viral preparations, when proteic components or proteic antigens are present, which are intended for use in inactivated or non-living vaccines.

Abstract: A method for separating off viruses from a protein solution by nanofiltration, comprising adding to the protein solution at least one ingredient chosen from chaotropic substances chosen from arginine, guanidine, citrulline, urea and derivatives thereof and salts thereof, and compounds chosen from polyethoxysorbitan esters and derivatives thereof, prior to the nanofiltration, in order to decrease or prevent aggregation of the protein molecules, and then filtering the solution through a filter having a pore size ranging from 15 nm to less than 35 nm.

Abstract: A method for detecting one or more pathogenic prion proteins in a sample, which can be of a body fluid of human or animal origin, and which contains a PrP protein that assumes a natural, nonpathogenic conformation, PrPC, and a pathogenic conformation, termed PrPSc, is described. The method can comprise: providing a sample suspected of containing the pathogenic form of at least one prion protein; exposing the sample to a chemical agent under conditions where the chemical agent and the prion protein or proteins react to form at least one covalent bond involving the prion protein or proteins; and mass-spectroscopically analyzing the resulting prion protein or proteins to detect the presence of the pathogenic form of the prion protein or proteins; wherein at least one additional peak is observed in the mass spectrum when the pathogenic form of a prion protein is present.

Abstract: A method for protein-preserving purification and/or sterilization of contaminated biological liquids is described, in which the biological liquid is irradiated with UV radiation of 260 to 300 nm wavelength for a sufficient period of time.

Abstract: A test system for studying a biological fluid which comprises a tube- or pipe-like hollow body which is intended for receiving or passing through a biological fluid and on whose inside a support is attached on which binding molecules for one or more different antigens, antibodies, pathogens, toxins and/or exogenous or endogenous proteins to be detected in the biological fluid are arranged in fields separated from one another is described.