The Protein Production Facility, located in the Blizard building, Whitechapel, provides services and support to those using proteins in their research.
Currently we offer protein production in E. coli and in insect cells. Insect cell expression is suitable for producing multi-protein complexes and proteins with post translational modifications.
We have all the equipment that you need to make and purify proteins. We can provide training in all aspects of protein purification, from cloning design to analysis of the protein. If you don't have the time to carry out all or some of the stages yourself, we have the expertise and equipment to do it for you. Alternatively, we’ll teach you how to use it so you can do it yourself in the future.
Quotes are tailored to your specific requirements, please contact the facility manager, Charlotte Millership (c.millership@qmul.ac.uk), to discuss your project.
Equipment
Cell Growth
Four Eppendorf S44i chilled incubators; each can hold up to 14 x 2 L flasks.
Cell lysis
Sonicator, for smaller scale purifications of 10-100 ml of resuspended bacterial cells and for larger preps: the LM20 Microfluidizer, which can process upwards from 100 ml. The LM20 can operate at pressures up to 30 000 psi, to efficiently lyse bacteria and yeast. The cooling coil keeps the sample protected from heat damage and the lysis is consistent and reproducible.
Protein purification
Akta Pure housed within a chilled cabinet. The Pure has a sample pump allowing all stages of protein purification to be performed including both affinity and size exclusion chromatography.
Analysis:
iBright: fluorescence gel imager can be used to visualise fluorescently labelled proteins. The machine can also image SDS-PAGE gels and western blots.
SEC-MALS: Size Exclusion Chromatography-Multi Angle Light Scattering is an essential tool for determining the characterisation of the molar mass of proteins and other macromolecules in solution.
Baculovirus Facility
Insect cell expression is performed in a dedicated space in Blizard. We have an MSC, two shaker incubators, automated cell counter, centrifuges and a microscope. Training and consumables will be provided to users.
Attribution
If you use facility resources in your work, please acknowledge us in your publications.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact the facility manager, Charlotte Millership (c.millership@qmul.ac.uk).