You are here

Membrane Protein Production using Retroviral Vehicles

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43GM073405-01
Agency Tracking Number: GM073405
Amount: $165,155.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: PHS2005-2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Integral Molecular 3701 Market St, Ste 340
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 SHARON WILLIS
 (215) 966-6065
 SH_WILLIS@YAHOO.COM
Business Contact
 BENJAMIN DORANZ
Phone: (215) 966-6018
Email: BDORANZ@INTEGRALMOLECULAR.COM
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Despite their importance, proteins that span the membrane multiple times present a unique set of challenges for structural analyses such as x-ray crystallography. Large portions of these proteins are hydrophobic, the proteins are topologically complex, and removal from their lipid bilayer results in loss of their native structure. Because of their complex folding and trafficking, many membrane proteins, especially those of eukaryotic origin, are difficult to express. Expression limitations can sometimes be overcome, but the membrane proteins must still be purified away from the cell, a process that is limited by protein heterogeneity in lysates, unwanted membrane proteins, and available detergents. Without sufficient quantities of structurally intact membrane protein to start with, many of the downstream steps of structural analysis cannot be optimized or even initiated. Although it is not certain what advances need to be made to routinely obtain membrane protein crystal structures, it is clear that traditional materials and methods are not sufficient, especially for eukaryotic membrane proteins. The purpose of this proposal is to develop a system capable of producing multi-milligram quantities of structurally intact, homogeneous membrane protein that can be used for structural analysis.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government