Summary
The Biomolecular Screening & Protein Technologies Unit (BMS&PT) provides researchers at the CRG/PRBB and external institutions with a state-of-the-art technology platform and broad knowledge and expertise to perform the following services:
- Full-service production of plasmid clones, mutants, fusion constructs and libraries using different recombinant cloning technologies. (Gibson, Gateway, CPEC, homing enzyme technologies)
- Protein Expression in bacteria, baculovirus- insect cell and mammalian cell systems.
- Rapid and robust solutions for the purification of high quality proteins using different liquid handling chromatography systems. (2x AKTAxpress, 1xFPLC)
- Measurement and analysis of protein-protein, protein-nucleic acids and drug-protein interactions. (Biacore T100, ITC, Nanolith NT115)
- Cell line manipulation using the CRISPR/CAS9 genome editing technology.
- Automation protocols for screening assays. (Tecan evo200 and Sciclone robotic platforms)
These goals are accomplished by a centralized laboratory with a dedicated, experienced staff, which enables high-throughput, economy of scale, virus preparation and protein expression services, including quality assurance and control procedures to ensure efficient, consistent production and purification of recombinant proteins.
In 2015, more than 250 recombinant proteins produced by the facility have been used for analytical biochemistry studies designed to investigate enzymatic properties, structure-function relationships between protein-protein, protein-nucleic-acid, and protein-small molecule interactions and custom antibody production. With our service, we contributed to the success of more than 55 CRG/PRBB projects and 21 projects from other academic institutions, as well as private companies.
In addition, the facility enables investigators to apply cutting edge technology and unique resources to discover molecular, genetic, and small molecule compounds suitable to further study the functions of poorly understood proteins, signalling pathways, and cells in complex biological processes.
In December, the unit organized a five-day workshop titled “From Gene to Function: Genome editing tools” for 20 international participants and with five invited speakers, all of whom are leaders in the field.
All members of the staff frequently participate as speakers and instructors in CRG and UPF masters courses.
Research projects
- Implementation of the more recent gene engineering applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
- Implementation of the SEC-MALS system.
- Implementation of a wide range of pre-programmed application protocols in our liquid chromatography platforms to minimize preparation and run times in cloning and protein expression.