Basic Services
Our Basic Services consists of a wide range of basic and preparatory techniques that are oftentimes part of a more comprehensive analysis. These are cost effective assays will put your sample in a form that is more manageable and may help to shed light on what your sample contains. This allows for the selection of more advanced determinations (see Analytical Services) or helps you decide where to take your project next.
Sample Preparations
Lyophilization [BS-BSP-LYO]
This basic sample preparation service utilizes a -86 C freeze-dry system to lyophilize samples to <5% dryness. Each sample will be freeze-dried and transferred to a serum vial, filled with nitrogen gas (or vacuumed), crimp sealed, and labeled appropriately. Upon the client's request, the sample(s) can either be stored, shipped to a designated location, or used for subsequent services.
Solid Phase Extraction [BS-BSP-SPE]
This basic sample preparation service utilizes solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges to either concentrate or purify samples that are dissolved or suspended in a liquid mixture according to their physical and chemical properties. SPE can separate your analyte of interest from other molecules present in a wide variety of matrices such as water, blood, urine, tissue, etc. This is typically one of the first steps in sample preparation from a complex mixture and necessary for further analytical determinations.
Total Protein Determinations
Bradford Assay [BP-TPA-BDA]
This basic proteomic service is a spectrophotometric analysis that determines the total concentration of proteins in a solution by measuring the absorbance shift of the protein binding dye, Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250. May be used in the presence of reducing agents but has higher protein-to-protein variation and incompatible with proteins that have poor acid-solubility.
Bicinchoninic Acid Assay [BP-TPA-BCA]
This basic proteomic service is a spectrophotometric analysis that determines the total concentration of proteins in a solution by measuring the absorbance of a bicinchoninic acid/cuprous ion complex. This complex is formed when proteins of greater than three amino acids produce a colored chelate complex with cupric ions. BCA is compatible with a wide range of ionic and non-ionic detergents, but accuracy results is dependent on presence of reducing agents, reducing sugars, and phospholipids.
Electrophoretic Separations
SDS-PAGE with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) Stain [BP-GEL-TGC]
Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is a basic proteomic service that utilizes and electrophoretic gradient to separate proteins based on molecular weight and is commonly employed as a preparatory step for subsequent protein characterizations. The gel is traditionally stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (G250 or R250) for protein visualizing, but may be analyzed for qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of the protein composition in a sample. However, the BP-CAP-PCS and BP-CAP-PCL provide better resolution and greater accuracy for relative mass assignments.
SDS-PAGE with Silver Stain [BP-GEL-TGS]
Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) is a basic proteomic service that utilizes and electrophoretic gradient to separate proteins based on molecular weight and is commonly employed as a preparatory step for subsequent protein characterizations. The gel is traditionally stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (G250 or R250) for protein visualizing, but may be analyzed for qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of the protein composition in a sample. However, the BP-CAP-PCS and BP-CAP-PCL provide better resolution and greater accuracy for relative mass assignments.
SDS-PAGE Tris Tricine with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) Stain [BP-GEL-TTC]
This basic proteomic service utilizes the same principle as BS-GEL-TGC, but utilizes a different carrier ion, i.e. tricine instead of glycine, and is designed for an increased separation of small molecular weight proteins and peptides (<10 kDa) that appear as unresolved bands in conventional SDS-PAGE.
Protein Chip Assay 5-80 kDa [BP-CAP-PCS]
This intermediate proteomic service utilizes an automated capillary electrophoretic separation of proteins to provide a highly precise analytical evaluation of the protein profile from 5-80 kDa. Compared to traditional gel electrophoresis, capillary uses microfluidics-based automation that allows for dramatically reduced sample volume and significantly faster turnaround. This is not a preparatory technique for subsequent protein characterization and can only be used for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the protein composition in a sample.
Protein Chip Assay 14-230 kDa [BP-CAP-PCL]
This intermediate proteomic service is the same as BP-CAP-PCS but provides a protein profile from 14-230 kD.
Chromatographic Separations
Size Exclusion Chromatography [BS-ISP-SEC]
This intermediate proteomic service is a liquid chromatographic separation of proteins based on their molecular weight that measures their abundance by photodiode array or fluorescence detection. This technique is commonly employed as a preparatory step for purification and fraction collection. These fractions can be further purified by an alternative chromatographic separation (e.g. BS-ISP-RPC), assessed for bio-assay guided selection and/or subsequent protein characterizations.
NOTE: The interval for fraction collection may vary from project to project. This will depend on amount of starting material and complexity of sample. The fractions will be used for further processing by CDI or may be returned to the client upon request. Cost for the collection service will vary and will depend upon the mobile phase, number of fractions, and the final state of the fractions (e.g. lyophilized, frozen, etc.) requested. This service should be established prior to the commencement of processing.
Reversed Phase Chromatography [BS-ISP-RPC]
This intermediate proteomic service is a liquid chromatographic separation of proteins based primarily on their hydrophobic properties that measures their abundance by photodiode array or fluorescence detection. This technique is commonly employed as a preparatory step for purification and fraction collection. These fractions can be further purified by an alternative chromatographic separation (e.g. BS-ISP-SEC), assessed for bio-assay guided selection and/or subsequent protein characterizations.
NOTE: The interval for fraction collection may vary from project to project. This will depend on amount of starting material and complexity of sample. The fractions will be used for further processing by CDI or may be returned to the client upon request. Cost for the collection service will vary and will depend upon the mobile phase, number of fractions, and the final state of the fractions (e.g. lyophilized, frozen, etc.) requested. This service should be established prior to the commencement of processing.
Affinity Chromatography [BS-ISP-AFC]
This intermediate proteomic service is a liquid chromatographic separation of proteins (antigens) based primarily on their specific interactions with another protein (antibody) attached to a stationary phase. This is the most selective kind of chromatography this technique is commonly employed as a preparatory step for purification and fraction collection.
NOTE: The interval for fraction collection may vary from project to project. This will depend on amount of starting material and complexity of sample. The fractions will be used for further processing by CDI or may be returned to the client upon request. Cost for the collection service will vary and will depend upon the mobile phase, number of fractions, and the final state of the fractions (e.g. lyophilized, frozen, etc.) requested. This service should be established prior to the commencement of processing.