Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Compiled below are questions and answers about protein production nd protein purification.
How long does it take to get a protein?
PPS offers help with protein production from construct design and over-expression to purification and characterization of the recombinant protein. We can also perform any of the steps in this process separately. Protein expression in bacteria is a much faster process than in eukaryotic systems. It is therefore impossible to give general and exact timelines, as those will depend on the scope of the project request and the expression system used, as well as the current workload on PPS.
Therefore, after submission of a project request, you will receive a confirmation email from PPS. We will then contact you to discuss the project and provide an estimation of cost and timelines. Because the project request is non-binding you then decide if and how to proceed with the project.
How much does it cost?
A project request to PPS is not a grant application. User fees apply for the use of PPS.
PPS offers help with protein production from construct design over expression to purification and characterization of the recombinant protein, but also with any of the steps in this process separately. Protein expression in bacteria is a cheaper process than in a eukaryotic system. It is therefore impossible to give general costs, as those will depend on the scope of the project request and the expression system used.
Therefore, after submission of a project request, you will receive a confirmation email from PPS. We will then contact you to discuss the project and provide a cost estimate and an estimate on timelines. Because the project request is non-binding you decide if and how to proceed after receiving the cost and timeline estimates.
How much protein do I get?
When submitting a project request and during the follow-up discussions you should specify your needs and PPS will try to meet this if feasible. You will always receive all the protein that results from a project. However, as specified in the Terms and Conditions for the use of PPS, the user acknowledges that the production of a certain protein as described in the project request might give less protein product than desired or even not succeed. In this case the user is aware of the fact that the deliverable is the report about the work done.
Do I have to pay if I do not get any protein?
PPS offers protein expression in six different systems, which increases the chances of successful protein expression. However, you pay for the work performed and not the actual product. As specified in the Terms and Conditions for the use of PPS, the user acknowledges that the production of a certain protein as described in the project request might not succeed. In this case the user is aware of the fact that the deliverable is a report about the work done.
Who owns the results?
This is specified in the Terms and Conditions for the use of PPS, and all results belong to the User. “Results” means all deliverables and information. However, PPS retains ownership to any intellectual property other than Results.
For more details please see point 9 in Terms and Conditions for the use of PPS.
Can PPS provide peptide synthesis?
No. PPS does not have equipment for chemical synthesis of peptides. PPS uses biological protein expression systems and subsequent purification of proteins, which do not normally work for production of peptides. Peptides in comparison to proteins are commonly defined as short chains of (2 to 50) amino acids, while proteins consist of longer chains of amino acids.
How much help does the user get with the construct/plasmid design?
When submitting a project request and during the follow-up discussions you should specify your needs with respect to construct/plasmid design i.e. need for specific tags and their location. However, PPS can suggest optimal construct/plasmid design for each expression system and provide this as integral part of any project.
Who provides the expression plasmids?
When submitting a project request and during the follow-up discussions you should specify the existence of potential starting materials i.e. plasmids and expression vectors. PPS can provide plasmids as integral part of any project, when this is requested.
Is my protein endotoxin free?
When submitting a project request and during the follow-up discussions it is of great importance that you specify your needs for endotoxin levels in the final sample and PPS will try to meet this if feasible. What is feasible depends on expression system and methods available at the different platforms and what is possible will be clarified in the project discussions. Currently only the mammalian cell expression module has routine procedures for endotoxin free purification and monitoring of endotoxin levels in place.