Services

Protein Factory offers cloning, expression in micro-organisms and purification at laboratory and pilote scales.

DNA Cloning

With the help of our sister platform, Robotein®, we have developed protocols for high-throughput plasmid construction, mutagenesis and cells transformation.

We can construct recombinant DNA for the following microorganisms:

• Escherichia coli
• Bacillus subtilis
• Streptomyces lividans
• Pichia pastoris

Protein Production

We have developed process for expression of soluble and integral membrane proteins in E. coli, B. subtilis and P. pastoris cells. Production can be carried out in deepwell plates, shake flasks or in controlled fermenters with working volumes ranging from 2 to 60 L working volume. High-cell-density fed-batch fermentation for the production of heterologous proteins in E. coli and P. pastoris is possible. Following production, microorganisms can be separated from the culture medium by centrifugation or cross-flow membrane filtration. Cell walls can be physically broken by high volume mechanical cell disruption methods.

Protein Purification

The downstream purification process can be performed both at laboratory and pilote scales, on the basis of the following chromatography techniques:

• Ion exchange chromatography
• Affinity chromatography (IMAC, Protein A, Strep-Tactin® …)
• Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
• Gel filtration, Desalting

The efficiency of the chromatographic process can be evaluated with the help of various analytical techniques, e.g. SDS-PAGE, enzymatic assay, SEC-MALS, mass spectrometry (in collaboration with the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory).