Accelerating Protein Expression and Optimization for Challenging Targets
Today, Nuclera are pleased to announce that we have added a new membrane protein workflow to our innovative eProtein Discovery™ system. As a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating protein expression and optimization with our benchtop system, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in protein science. Our expanded capability now enables us to express, purify, and stabilize even the most challenging membrane proteins—key targets in therapeutic development. By integrating cell-free protein synthesis, digital microfluidics, and optimized additive screening, our eProtein Discovery system is now able to produce functional, correctly folded membrane proteins in just 48 hours.
Membrane proteins are essential regulators of cellular processes and are often linked to the development and progression of disease. With 60% of FDA-approved drugs targeting these proteins, we understand the critical need for reliable production methods despite their inherent structural challenges. Recognizing this, we developed a workflow that tackles the intrinsic hydrophobic nature of these proteins, ensuring efficient extraction and stabilization.
We recently demonstrated our enhanced capabilities by synthesizing MsbA, a membrane transporter, and ZMPSTE24, an integral membrane protein. In just 24 hours, our system evaluated diverse expression and purification conditions—including the effects of nanodiscs, lipids, and detergents—to determine the ideal parameters for producing soluble and stable MsbA and ZMPSTE24. Within 48 hours, we successfully scaled up the production, yielding high quantities of these membrane proteins that are functionally active and fully compatible with cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM).
Current users of our eProtein Discovery system can access this breakthrough membrane protein production feature via a straightforward software update.
Dr Toby Ost, SVP of Product Development at Nuclera, stated:
“Membrane protein production has long been a technical challenge, often resulting in misfolded or inactive proteins. eProtein Discovery overcomes these challenges, enabling scientists to rapidly produce functional membrane proteins, accelerating drug discovery and structural biology workflows.”
Dr Konstantinos Beis, Reader in Membrane Protein Structural Biology at Imperial College London, added:
“The eProtein Discovery System is a welcome new toolkit for membrane protein production. We were commissioned via Imperial Consultants to test the protein quality in our lab – and the early results are promising.”
We are proud to lead the way in biotech innovation, and this latest development is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing membrane protein production.
Link to Applications > Membrane Proteins page
