Protein Biochemistry

As catalysts and structural elements, proteins are both the drivers and major building blocks of the cell. SRI Biosciences studies proteins using integrated sets of tools in these areas:

• Informatics analyses

• Spectroscopy

• Kinetics

• Mechanistic studies

• High throughput screening for inhibition

• Computational and experimental analyses of protein structure

• Development of detailed structure-activity relationships

We partner with clients who have needs ranging from simple overproduction of key proteins and protein-based assay development and validation for high throughput applications, to the detailed and complex mechanistic work necessary to describe the behaviors of proteins alone and in combination with small molecules.

Collaborative Capabilities

• Protein expression and purification at the mg to 100mg scale (focus on pathogens)

• Development of new protein-based/enzymatic assays based on a wide variety of observables: UV/vis, fluorescence, O₂ consumption, electrochemistry, HPLC, mass spectrometry

• Development and implementation of immunoassays (e.g., ELISA)

• Refinement and validation of assays for use in high throughput screening

• Determination of mechanism and strength of inhibition of lead compounds against target proteins

• Detailed mechanistic analysis of protein function using spectroscopic, structural, mutagenesis, and kinetics (steady state and transient) tools

• Detailed analyses of proteins and pathways involved in redox and metallobiochemistry

• Development of new bio-analytical methods involving proteins, small molecules and their interactions

Recent Projects

• Enlightening biological “dark matter” involved in bacterial heme metabolism

• Using protein sequence and structure to understand the function of human proteases

• Bioconversion of industrial bleach into O₂

• Novel targets for intractable fungal pathogens

• New avenues for crop engineering and herbicide development