Protein purification system

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The wealth of genomic sequence information that has been generated through the efforts of large scale DNA sequencing consortiums has created an unprecedented opportunity to identify and exploit clusters of genes that encode novel enzyme chemistries or drug targets. Remarkable advances have also occurred in protein engineering, directed evolution and computation. A variety of strategies now exist for creating massive libraries of modified proteins as well as screening or selecting proteins from these libraries based on a desired property. These properties include stability, ligand binding specificity and catalysis. Research in the Zechel and Pratt labs at Queen's University is focused on elucidating the functions of novel proteins, designing new drugs and engineering proteins to have new functions that are valuable to society and the environment. Examples include the directed evolution of sugar and peptide binding proteins; catalytic mechanisms enzymes that synthesize novel drug like molecules such as indolocarbazoles and pyrollnitrin; the mechanism of enzymes that cleave the stable carbon-phosphorous bond in herbicides and chemical weapons; and the design of mechanism based inhibitors for the inflammation related enzymes lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases. The outcome of this research is critical for the development of new diagnostic reagents and biosensors, biocatalysts for the synthesis drugs or degradation of environmental pollutants and new drugs targeting redox active enzymes. The analysis of novel proteins and enzymes for the design of thereapeutics or industrial catalysts requires that these proteins be highly purified. Impurities in proteins samples can interfere with biochemical assays and structure analysis as well as lead to protein degradation. A modern protein purification system is a key piece of equipment in any biochemical lab that allows rapid generation of pure protein. This grant will allow the purchase of this essential piece of equipment that will support the activities within the Zechel and Pratt labs. The equipment will also provide students with experience in running a state-of-the-art instrument that is the current industry standard in protein purification.