Oxford Expression Technologies Ltd. (OET), a provider of baculovirus-based protein expression products and services, has signed research collaboration agreements with ParaTechs and LifeSensors. The projects aim to enhance and expand OET’s flashBAC portfolio of baculovirus protein expression systems.
OET’s propriety flashBAC technology is a baculovirus based recombinant system enabling the production of multiple recombinant viruses in a one-step process. The system is suitable for small and large scale protein expression.
The collaboration with ParaTechs will investigate the potential impact of expressing a Vankyrin gene in tandem with a foreign gene on the quality and yield of the foreign protein and to evaluate whether any benefits are enhanced by using the flashBAC system, which is already known to increase recombinant protein yields beyond those achieved using a conventional vector. This project will also compare flashBAC vectors expressing Vankyrin gene-fusions in ParaTechs Vankyrin-Enhanced cell lines, with standard insect cell lines.
Under the agreement with LifeSensors, the two companies will work together to incorporate a SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) tag into the flashBAC system, and evaluate whether this increases the quality of protein produced. The use of SUMO as a fusion tag has been shown to dramatically increase yield and solubility of protein in more traditional systems. The two companies are hoping that SUMO will create an even more powerful flashBAC system.
“The collaborations form part of our ongoing strategy of developing new and improved protein expression systems for our customers,” said James Bernard, Director, OET. “We’re delighted to be working alongside these companies and look forward to generating exciting results.”
OET was recently named ‘Best Early Stage Biotech’ at the Oxford and South-East Bioscience Awards, in recognition of its introduction of new technology with commercial value and development of a revenue stream.
Source: Oxford Expression Technologies Ltd.