Structural Biology Services

X-Ray Crystallography:

X-ray crystallography enables visualizing protein structures at the atomic level and revealing the three-dimensional structure of the target proteins. Detailed analysis of crystal structures of protein-ligand complexes allows the study of the specific interactions of a particular drug with its protein target.

First, it requires the construction the transgene and establishment the expression system for the target protein. The protein will be produced in a large quantity in an optimal system where the protein can retain its native structure.

The recombinant protein will then be purified and validated by various assays. The purified protein will be crystallized with or without binding ligands, after optimization of seeding conditions.

Once the crystals are obtained, they will be analyzed with X-rays, which are scattered when passing through the crystals depending on the structure and orientation of the molecule, and captured on an electronic detector. The resultant three-dimensional digital image of the molecule will be exploited for structural insights and the design of therapeutic agents.

We provide integrated or modular gene-to-structure services outlined as the following:

1. Protein expression

• Expression systems: E.coli, mammalian cell systems
• Adenoviral and lentiviral for transduction of transgenes
• Protein refolding
• Chromatography

2. Protein purification and identification

• AKTA purification
• Identification by Mass spectrometry

3. Protein crystallization

• Co-crystallization with compound
• Compound soaking
• Sparse matrix screen
• Optimization with seeding

4. Protein crystallography

• Soaking/co-crystallization
• Data collection with high-energy synchrotron X-rays

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Analysis

NMR spectroscopy can provide fast, powerful, and versatile techniques for atomic-level resolution studies of protein-ligand interactions. NMR methods are well-suited to monitor and characterize weak-binding interactions between proteins, but also between small molecule and macromolecule. Data acquired by NMR for protein-ligand interactions in solution can be particularly valuable in cases where structural information on a macromolecular complex is either difficult or impossible to obtain.

Our NMR services include:

• Production of labeled proteins for NMR spectroscopy
• High-yield production of protein labeled with stable isotopes
• Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (qNMR) Analysis
• Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Solution State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis
• Fragment-based screening