Proteins control all aspects of cellular and acellular biology. Protein isolation (usually to homogeneity) and detailed biochemical and biophysical analysis are central for understanding life on Earth at the atomic, molecular and cellular levels, and mainstays in translational research.

For academic scientists, protein analysis is relevant across all aspects of health, disease across the kingdoms of life. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies also rely on high-quality protein preparations for various procedures, notably biopharmaceutical (e.g. antibody) manufacturing and drug discovery (e.g. target screening).

The Centre for Automated Protein Research and Innovation (CAPRI) has been created with all these needs in mind.

We work closely with a very broad range of clients to synthesise and purify proteins from a range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic resources, using a variety of affinity tags and proteolytic cleavage steps to maximise both yield and purity. No project is too small or too large, no protein too tricky to attempt. From highly soluble proteins to membrane complexes, and with over 60 years of expertise residing within the team, CAPRI is a unique resource managed by scientists, for scientists.

What you'll receive from our facility

The same dedication to protein production and analysis that we employ for our academic research is offered in CAPRI, with an emphasis on specific clients’ needs, from students to experienced protein chemists.

The equipment we offer includes:

• Bacterial transformation
• Host selection
• Pilot studies
• Plasmid-based expression:
  • Protein expression (low and high-volume cultures, static or shaker platforms, scale-up)
  • Protein purification (affinity, ion-exchange, gel filtration chromatography, others on request)
  • Protein QC (SDS-PAGE, DSF, CD spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, others on request)
• On request:
  • Protein assays (enzyme, ligand-binding)
  • Protein labelling
  • Protein modelling and structural assignment.

Who can use our facilities

• University of Liverpool academic, research and technical staff
• Researchers from other universities/research institutions
• Industrial research partners
• Biotech and Pharma partners
• Clinicians/surgeons.

What CAPRI can be used for

Protein production (expression and purification) is a highly skilled ‘art’ that requires expertise in protein chemistry, bioinformatics (AI), formulation, stabilisation and quality control in order to deliver a meaningful product.

CAPRI offers recombinant protein expression and purification alongside protein quality control from a variety of host organisms, depending on the needs of the scientific project:

• Bacterial hosts
• Yeast hosts
• Insect cells (Sf9/21)
• Human cells (HEK-293).