Protein Expression and Strain Development

We offer early insights into the expression of your protein, delivering purified proteins for research use in as little as 5 weeks. With extensive experience covering various bacterial expression systems, including a profound understanding of E. coli and L. lactis systems, we stand ready to assist you in selecting the optimal microbial strain tailored to your specific requirements.

Our comprehensive approach includes assessing expression levels, solubility and cellular localization, providing valuable insights into the manufacturability of your protein and facilitating informed decision-making from the project’s inception. Backed by a proven track record of developing fully documented tech-transfer ready processes that can be transferred to established CMOs, we lay the groundwork to propel your project towards manufacturing success.

  • Systems: E. coli, L. lactis, Your preferred system
  • Test multiple constructs and expression conditions
  • As little as 5 weeks to purified protein
  • Gram Yields
  • Development of Research and Master Cell Banks

Workflow at Bioneer

Leveraging our expertise across diverse protein types, we provide early insights into the expression of your protein and mitigate risk through a flexible step-wise project approach with Go/No-Go decision points.

Process Step

Our approach

Time

Gene Design and Plasmid Preparation
  • Gene sequence is optimized for use in selected system
  • Gene synthesis via 3rd party provider
  • Cloning into expression vector and transformation of expression strain.
2 – 4 weeks
Strain Selection and Banking
  • Screen up to 72 constructs in parallel using deep well plates
  • Test of various strains, plasmids, and genetic constructs
  • RCB banking
2+ weeks
Feasibility Studies
  • Test expression in shake-flasks (30 mL – 100 mL)
  • Test of various expression conditions
  • Analysis via SDS-PAGE, western blotting
2 – 3 weeks

Report Outlining Expression Results (Go/No Go)

Upscaled Expression in Shake-Flasks
  • Upscaled expression of selected constructs
  • Up to 5 L culture volume can be expressed in parallel using shake-flasks
2 – 3 weeks
Batch and Fed-batch Production & Upstream Process Development
  • Standardized batch and fed-batch production processes
  • Development of Customized processes
  • 6x 1 L glass fermentors
  • 1x 15 L stainless steel fermentor
  • 4x 50 L dedicated steel fermentors for manufacturing
2+ weeks

Reporting & Delivery of Culture Supernatant/Cell Pellets/Inclusion Bodies (Go/No-Go)

Purification and Downstream Process Development
  • Affinity purification for rapid delivery of purified product
  • Development of a downstream process customized for your protein
  • Inclusion Body isolation, solubilization and refolding
2+ Weeks
Characterization and Analysis
  • Customized analytical packages leveraging a full range of protein characterization methods
2+ Weeks
Formulation
  • Stability studies, buffer optimization, and more to create the optimal formulation for your protein
2+ Weeks

Reporting and Delivery of Purified Protein

Additional Services:

Plasmid Preparation

Our Process and Approach

Our Approach:

Gene sequence is optimized for use in selected system

Gene synthesis via 3rd party provider

Cloning into expression vector and transformation of expression strain.

Time: 2-4 Weeks

Our Approach:

Screen up to 72 constructs in parallel using deep well plates

Test of various strains, plasmids, and genetic constructs

RCB banking

Time: 2+ Weeks

Our Approach:

Test expression in shake-flasks (30 mL – 100 mL)

Test of various expression conditions

Analysis via SDS-PAGE, western blotting

Time: 2-3 Weeks

Report Outlining Expression Results (Go/No Go)

Our Approach:

Upscaled expression of selected constructs

Up to 5 L culture volume can be expressed in parallel using shake-flasks

Time: 2-3 Weeks

Our Approach:

Standardized batch and fed-batch production processes

Development of Customized processes

6x 1 L glass fermentors

1x 15 L stainless steel fermentor

4x 50 L dedicated steel fermentors for manufacturing

Time: 2+ Weeks

Reporting & Delivery of Culture Supernatant/Cell Pellets/Inclusion Bodies (Go/No-Go)

Our Approach:

Affinity purification for rapid delivery of purified product

Development of a downstream process customized for your protein

Inclusion Body isolation, solubilization and refolding

Time: 2+ Weeks

Our Approach:

Customized analytical packages leveraging a full range of protein characterization methods

Time: 2+ Weeks

Our Approach:

Stability studies, buffer optimization, and more to create the optimal formulation for your protein

Time: 2+ Weeks

Reporting and Delivery of Purified Protein

Additional Services:

Plasmid Preparation

Upstream Process Development

We provide comprehensive assistance in upstream process development for microbial systems, covering batch and fed-batch processes, preparing them for manufacturing.

Our expertise spans from conceptualization to scalable implementation, ensuring a smooth transition from laboratory to larger production volumes. By meticulously tailoring cultivation conditions, we optimize protein expression in your microbial strain. With the capability to scale up to 50 L in steel fermentors, we offer a robust platform for process validation and production scale-up. Whether you’re initiating process development, scaling up production, or conducting validation studies, our dedicated and experienced team is committed to supporting your upstream bioprocessing needs with efficiency and precision.

  • Standard Batch and Fed-batch Processes
  • Customized Processes
  • 6x 1 L glass fermentors
  • 1x 15 L steel fermentor
  • 4x 50 L dedicated steel fermentors for manufacturing
  • Periplasmic and cytoplasmic extraction
  • Inclusion Body preparation

Purification and Downstream Process Development

We specialize in developing customized downstream processes, drawing upon our profound understanding of the inherent complexities in protein purification and the unique characteristics of each protein.

We can rapidly provide materials using standardized methods such as affinity chromatography or devise intricate multistep processes that ensure purity levels surpassing 99%. With experience in developing processes for cGMP manufacturing, our processes are carefully designed for seamless transfer to manufacturing facilities. Whether you require rapid material, full-scale process development, or optimization of existing procedures, our team of dedicated experts is fully equipped to assist you every step of the way.

  • Tagged and Non-tagged Methods
  • Upscaling and Tangential Flow Filtration
  • Process Development & Troubleshooting
  • mg to g scale
  • Inclusion Body Solubilization &  Refolding

Variety of chromatographic techniques available

  • Affinity chromatography (Protein A, L, IMAC, etc.)
  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Size exclusion chromatography
  • Mixed mode chromatography
  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
  • Endotoxin removal chromatography
  • More!

Workflow at Bioneer

Leveraging our expertise across diverse protein types, we provide early insights into the expression of your protein and mitigate risk through a flexible step-wise project approach with Go/No-Go decision points.

Process Step

Example techniques

Preparation, Extraction, Clarification
  • Isolation of soluble/insoluble fractions
  • IB Solubilization & Refolding
  • Cell lysis
  • DNA removal
  • Protease inactivation
  • Clarification
  • Filtration

Capture

(Isolate, concentrate, and stabilize)

  • Affinity chromatography (Protein A, L, IMAC, etc.)
  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Size exclusion chromatography
  • Mixed mode chromatography
  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
  • Etc.
Intermediate Purification

(Remove Bulk Impurities)

  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Mixed mode chromatography
  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
  • Size exclusion chromatography
Polishing

(Achieve final high level purity)

  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Mixed mode chromatography
  • Hydrophobic interaction chromatography
  • Size exclusion chromatography
Finalizing/ Formulation

(final preparation)

  • Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration
  • Buffer Exchange
  • Concentration adjustment
  • Sterile Filtration

Our Process and Example techniques

Example techniques:

Isolation of soluble/insoluble fractions

IB Solubilization & Refolding

Cell lysis

DNA removal

Protease inactivation

Clarification

Filtration

Example techniques:

Affinity chromatography (Protein A, L, IMAC, etc.)

Ion exchange chromatography

Size exclusion chromatography

Mixed mode chromatography

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Etc.

Example techniques:

Ion exchange chromatography

Mixed mode chromatography

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Size exclusion chromatography

Example techniques:

Ion exchange chromatography

Mixed mode chromatography

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Size exclusion chromatography

Example techniques:

Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration

Buffer Exchange

Concentration adjustment

Sterile Filtration

Characterization & Analysis

We specialize in offering customizable characterization packages for protein analysis, utilizing a diverse array of techniques to meticulously examine protein properties. Through close collaboration with you, we tailor a plan to explore various facets of your protein, including purity, identity, structure, aggregation and stability.

Additionally, our cross-disciplinary approach enables us to provide further insights into your protein’s functionality by leveraging our in vitro modelling, histology, or formulation services. Whether you’re immersed in fundamental research, assay production, or biopharmaceutical development, our comprehensive characterization packages deliver invaluable insights to propel your projects forward.

Select from a variety of techniques

  • Gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, native PAGE, IEF)
  • Western blotting
  • Capillary electrophoresis (CGE and cIEF)
  • Bradford and BCA protein quantification
  • Quantitative amino acid analysis (outsourced)
  • UV spectrophotometry
  • UHPLC (SEC, IEX, HIC, RP chromatography)
  • ELISA
  • Enzyme assays
  • Endotoxin measurement
  • Host cell protein analysis (CHO and E. coli HCP, Cygnus kit)
  • Host cell DNA (qPCR method)
  • Mass spectrometry (outsourced)
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Dynamic light scattering
  • Infrared spectroscopy
  • Thioflavin T Fluorescence
  • DSC and ITC
  • Mass Photometry (Refeyn TwoMP)

Additional Services:

Formulation

Bioneer also offers comprehensive formulation services, click here to learn more about our peptide and protein formulation offerings.

For further information
please contact:

Ryan Jeffrey Polito
Business Development Manager