Advancing Protein Research with Native Electrophoresis

Introduction

Proteins are the building blocks of life, playing critical roles in every biological process. Understanding their structure and function is essential for advancing research in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and clinical diagnostics. However, many traditional methods for analyzing proteins, such as denaturing electrophoresis, can alter their natural state, making it difficult to study them in their native form. Our patented native protein electrophoresis technology offers a solution by enabling precise, non-denaturing protein separation, allowing researchers to analyze proteins in their native, functional state.

The Need for Better Protein Separation Techniques

In biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, understanding how proteins interact in their natural state is key to unlocking new therapies and diagnostics. Denaturing electrophoresis methods can distort proteins, leading to inaccurate results when studying interactions, structure, or function. These limitations are particularly significant in drug discovery, where the integrity of the protein being analyzed is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Moreover, in clinical diagnostics, where precise protein identification can lead to early disease detection or better-targeted therapies, traditional methods may not provide the level of detail required. Researchers and clinicians need methods that preserve the native structure and function of proteins while providing reliable separation and analysis.

A Superior Method for Protein Separation

Our native protein electrophoresis technology offers a groundbreaking solution for the accurate analysis of proteins in their natural form. This method separates proteins based on their size and charge without altering their structure, allowing researchers to observe proteins in conditions closer to those in living organisms. By maintaining the protein’s native conformation, this technology enables a more detailed and accurate understanding of protein behavior, interactions, and function.

This technology is essential for applications ranging from fundamental biological research to drug discovery and clinical diagnostics. It provides a clearer view of protein interactions, aids in identifying potential therapeutic targets, and improves the accuracy of protein analysis in diagnostic settings.

Key Benefits

Preservation of Native Structure: Enables the analysis of proteins without altering their natural state, providing more accurate data.
Wide Applicability: Useful in biotechnology, drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and fundamental protein research.
Improved Insights: Offers better insights into protein function, interactions, and structure for researchers and clinicians alike.

An Essential Tool for Protein Analysis

Licensing this native protein electrophoresis technology gives companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics a critical edge in studying and developing therapies based on protein function. With the ability to maintain native protein structure, this technology opens new doors for scientific breakthroughs and advanced clinical applications.

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Abstract
Claims

A method of characterizing proteins has been developed that includes providing a sample that contains a plurality of proteins to be characterized, wherein at least a first protein of the plurality of proteins is in its native form. Additionally, the method includes contacting the sample containing the plurality of proteins with a solution to form a sample solution, and then contacting the sample solution with a gel. The plurality of proteins is subsequently separated via electrophoresis within the gel, which includes an electrophoresis solution.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of characterizing proteins, the method comprising:

(a) providing a sample comprising a plurality of proteins to be characterized, wherein the plurality of proteins are in their native form;

(b) contacting the sample from step (a) with a solution to form a sample solution;

(d) separating the plurality of proteins within the sample solution by electrophoresis within the gel, wherein the gel comprises an electrophoresis solution,

wherein the electrophoresis solution of step (d) comprises a detergent at a concentration of 0.03 wt % to 0.04 wt %, and the plurality of proteins maintain their native form in steps (a)-(d).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample solution of step (b) is substantially free of detergent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample solution of step (b) is at a temperature of less than 30° C.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample solution of step (b) is at a temperature of less than 10° C.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrophoresis solution of step (d) comprises the detergent at a concentration of 0.0375 wt %.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the detergent comprises an alkyl-sulfate compound.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the alkyl-sulfate compound comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein separating the plurality of proteins as in step (d) is performed at 4° C.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein separating the plurality of proteins within the sample solution by electrophoresis within the gel comprises separating the plurality of proteins within the sample solution by electrophoresis within the gel such that two proteins which differ in molecular weight by 2 kDa can be distinguished from one another on a 12% polyacrylamide gel.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the native form comprises enzymatic activity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the enzymatic activity is provided at least in part by an enzyme that is chosen from the group consisting of dehydrogenase, galactosidase, dismutase, phosphatase, urease, oxidase, anhydrase, kinase, protease, and synthase.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of proteins maintain their native interactions with at least one metal ion, wherein the at least one metal ion is an ion of a metal chosen from the group consisting of copper, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc.

Title

Native protein electrophoresis and methods of use

Inventor(s)

David H. Petering, William J. Wobig, Andrew Nowakowski

Assignee(s)

UWM Research Foundation Inc

Patent #

9709526

Patent Date

July 18, 2017