High-throughput Screening of Membrane Proteins

Isis Project No 3329 A novel method for producing synthetic biological membranes has potential in new high-throughput screens of membrane protein function and drug interactions.

Marketing Opportunity
Membrane proteins such as G-protein coupled receptors and ion-channels represent around 60% of known pharmaceutical targets. Despite this importance, development is limited by the lack of techniques capable of screening membrane protein function. For example, ion channels; the defective function of which has been linked disorders including cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy and diabetes; have recently been identified as an under-represented drug target, largely due to this lack of a viable screening method (Dunlop. J et al. Nat. Rev.Drug.Discov (2008) 7 , 358-368).

Current techniques for screening membrane protein function use whole cells, or artificial lipid bilayers as simplified models of biological membranes. Unfortunately, artificial lipid bilayers are difficult to prepare, very delicate, and have a limited lifespan. It is also often impossible to incorporate such bilayers into devices capable of measuring membrane protein function. A method that could overcome the present challenges would represent an important step towards a better understanding of proteins and the identification of potential new drugs for the treatment of disease.

Oxford Invention
The Oxford invention is a new technique that enables the formation of lipid bilayers between aqueous droplets and semi-solid supports (e.g. hydrogels) (A.J. Heron, J.R. Thompson, A.E. Mason, M.I. Wallace, J. Am. Chem. Soc (2007) 129, 16042). The bilayers are easy to prepare and exceptionally robust. They are straightforward to both image and perform single channel electrical recording (SCR). This provides electrical and optical read-outs from the bilayer. The size of the bilayer can be controlled and the bilayer can be translated across the hydrogel support. This latter property has been exploited to scan hydrogels containing membrane proteins separated by gel electrophoresis. Using this method it is possible to detect and characterise natural levels of membrane proteins from purified cell extracts without the need for over-expression. This has potential applications in proteomics and the high throughput screening of a membrane protein library for drug discovery.

Patent Status
This technology is the subject of an international patent application, and Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity that this represents.

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Type of Offer: Licensing



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