Protein purification services are vital to a wide range of biological processes, from catalyzing biochemical reactions to serving as structural components of cells and tissues. Their diverse functions require the highest levels of purity and quality for reliable identification and accurate characterization. Often, the proteins of interest are part of larger mixtures, and separating them from contaminants is a central challenge in protein purification.

During the purification process, the desired protein is separated from impurities using techniques such as chromatography, centrifugation, filtration and electrophoresis. Each method exploits different properties to separate molecules based on size, charge or hydrophobicity. The appropriate separation methods are determined by factors such as the protein of interest, sample complexity and sensitivity, purification objectives, budget and available equipment.

Protein Purification Services: Best Practices and Benefits

To start the process, scientists clone the gene that encodes the desired protein into a plasmid or vector. The recombinant DNA is then introduced into host cells, which then produce large quantities of the protein of interest (this is known as expression).

After expression and purification, it’s essential to characterize your protein to confirm its identity and verify its integrity. Standard characterization techniques include SDS-PAGE, western blotting, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy. These methods verify that the protein of interest is pure and functional, and can help to determine its structural and binding characteristics. The characterized protein can then be used in a variety of downstream experiments, including enzymatic assays, structural studies and applications in biotechnology.