Biochemical 'On-Switch' Could Solve Protein Purification Challenge
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 18:14
in Biology & Nature
(PhysOrg.com) -- Drugs based on engineered proteins represent a new frontier for pharmaceutical makers. Even after they discover a protein that may form the basis of the next wonder drug, however, they have to confront a long-standing problem: how to produce large quantities of the protein in a highly pure state. Now, a multi-institutional research team including a biochemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology may have found a new solution in an enzymatic "food processor" they can activate at will.