Protein Expression Laboratory (PEL)
Providing the tools for cloning, protein expression, purification, and detection technologies that help to overcome research obstacles
Laboratory Overview
The Protein Expression Laboratory develops, improves, and delivers protein-centric services. Our goal is to help client investigators achieve their research goals with the lowest possible cost in the shortest time. All PEL services are available individually as well as part of larger projects.
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The PEL Protein PipelineThe PEL has constructed hundreds of protein expression plasmids as well as clones that influence and report protein expression (shRNA, microRNA, reporter plasmids). The lab specializes in parallel small scale screening in bacteria, yeast, insect, and mammalian cells to optimize protein quality. An innovative “purify first” platform tests multiple expression modalities side by side for the most purifiable form of each target protein. Scale-up to tens of liters of culture and hundreds of milligrams of protein is routine. |
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Mammalian VirusesPEL offers expertise in the production of custom recombinant lentivirus and adenovirus to study transgene or shRNA delivery for gene knockdowns in vitro and in vivo. Production services are complemented by offering virus concentration and titration services. Panels of ready-to-ship lentiviruses allow investigators to evaluate different promoters. |
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Molecular AssaysPEL provides development support to customize and validate qPCR assays to detect viral nucleic acids and serological assays to detect viral antigens or antibodies to viral infections. Automated liquid handling allows thousands of samples to assayed. In addition, a suite of cell culture quality control testing options are available including mycoplasma testing, screens for a subset of human pathogens and cell line authentication. |
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Technology InnovationAll PEL groups are in constant technology improvement mode. A dedicated technology group has developed protein delivery with virus-like particles; protein arrays; cell-free protein expression; and fusion tags that improve protein expression and solubility. Get more information on technology development efforts in the PEL here. |
