In recent years, smart polymers (SPs), which are also referred to as bio-responsive polymers, have gained considerable attention as a unique class of polymers and their applications have been increasing significantly. These so-called “smart” polymers, either synthetic or biological, have been defined as “polymers designed to respond or undergo physical and structural conformational changes/rearrangement in response to slight changes in their surrounding environment”. They are categorized as thermo-, pH-, electro- and magneto-responsive polymers. The advances in upstream bio-production stages and the high cost associated with downstream chromatographic techniques have pushed the development of new alternatives. In this context, the use of SPs, in combination with non-chromatographic technologies, represents a useful approach to the development of new downstream operation units. With the key scientific advancements, SPs have become the “next generation” of the bio-separation tool for eco-friendlier and cost-effective purification. This review describes the different characteristics and classifications of various “smart” polymers available for use in bio-separation strategy. Focus is also given to the recent advances in SP inclusion in the improvement of alternative non-chromatographic methods in downstream bioprocessings.

近年来，由于独特的一类聚合物，智能聚合物（SP）也被称为生物响应性聚合物，受到了广泛的关注，其应用也大大增加。这些所谓的“智能”聚合物，无论是合成的还是生物的，都被定义为“旨在响应周围环境的微小变化而响应或经历物理和结构构象变化/重排的聚合物”。它们分为热响应性，pH响应性，电响应性和磁响应性聚合物。上游生物生产阶段的进步以及与下游色谱技术相关的高成本推动了新替代品的开发。在这种情况下，结合使用SP和非色谱技术，代表了开发新的下游运营单位的有用方法。随着关键科学技术的进步，SP已成为生物分离工具的“下一代”，可实现更环保，更具成本效益的纯化。这篇综述描述了可用于生物分离策略的各种“智能”聚合物的不同特性和分类。在改进下游生物加工中非色谱替代方法方面，SP包含的最新进展也得到了关注。这篇综述描述了可用于生物分离策略的各种“智能”聚合物的不同特性和分类。在改进下游生物加工中非色谱替代方法方面，SP包含的最新进展也得到了关注。这篇综述描述了可用于生物分离策略的各种“智能”聚合物的不同特性和分类。在改进下游生物加工中非色谱替代方法方面，SP包含的最新进展也得到了关注。