Proteins constitute the basic functional units of an almost endless range of biological processes, including catalyzing chemical reactions, enabling cell membrane transport, mediating cell-cell interactions, forming the structure of cells and tissues, controlling cell activity, and orchestrating immune responses. Despite their biological pervasiveness, naturally occurring proteins are difficult to extract for research and clinical applications, which require large quantities and consistent batches. As a result, researchers turn to recombinant protein expression—a bioengineering technique that uses a genetically engineered host cell to express a protein of interest by using the cell’s own protein manufacturing capabilities. Recombinant proteins and antibodies are widely used in research and as therapeutics in clinical practice. Scientists use recombinant proteins and antibodies in myriad ways, including developing and producing vaccines and therapeutics, performing structural and biochemical studies, producing industrial enzymes, and advancing food processing technology. One of the most well-known examples of a clinical drug produced through recombinant protein expression is insulin.
Because different proteins have different expression requirements, it may be challenging for any one laboratory to maintain the wide range of skills and resources needed for producing various types of proteins. For example, applications that require recombinant antibodies, antibody fragments, or extracellular domains of transmembrane proteins are best suited to mammalian cell expression systems, which have advantages such as high bioactivity and low endotoxicity. Alternatively, bacterial expression systems such as E. coli are affordable, rapid, highly scalable, and are ideal for applications that require cytokines, enzymes, or bacterial proteins.
Moreover, recombinant protein and antibody expression require meticulous optimization and standardization at all stages of the expression workflow, from identifying the appropriate host cell, target gene, and expression vector to ensuring that the culture conditions, timing, and purification processes produce high antibody or therapeutic protein yield and quality. Each of these steps is vulnerable to technical challenges, which often limit the throughput, yield, and reliability of expressed antibodies and proteins. For example, scientists must choose an appropriate expression vector to exert precise control over recombinant protein and antibody expression. The vector must be compatible with the expression host organism and have a promoter as well as proper translation initiation and termination sequences. Adequate and reliable expression is often hampered by technical difficulties related to selection of the expression vector, where variations in the size and topology of some vectors can result in poor transfection efficiency and low yields of expressed proteins and antibodies.
Sino Biological provides custom recombinant expression services for antibody and protein production that adhere to industry quality standards and provide scientists with a cost-effective, reliable, and versatile resource for preclinical research and development work. Sino Biological’s turnkey CRO services include an end-to-end service workflow that incorporates project discussion, proposal confirmation, and contract signing prior to project initiation. Sino Biological’s quality control, rapid turnover time, reliable delivery, and tried-and-tested recombinant antibody and protein expression workflows eliminate the inherent complexity of recombinant technologies, enabling high- throughput and large-scale production.
With a broad choice of specially optimized, highly efficient expression systems, including insect cells, E. coli, conventional mammalian cells (HEK293 and CHO for transient and stable expression), as well as FucoFree HEK293 or CHO to generate afucosylated proteins and antibodies, Sino Biological’s recombinant expression services customize antibody and protein production for specific applications. Their skilled CRO team walks customers through the best customized approach using multiple touch points to ensure experimental success. Sino Biological’s advanced recombinant protein and antibody expression platforms help researchers overcome the technical and logistical limitations of recombinant expression, and provide a reliable, effective resource for advancing research projects.
