Quantitative Screening Assay for Protein Surface Changes
Isis Project No 3849 A new Quantitative Profiling Of biotinylation Patterns (Q-POP) assay, to enable screening for protein surface changes following protein-protein interaction. Potential applications include normal, cancer or pathogen cell function research; enabling identification of new treatment targets.Marketing Opportunity
Many biological functions are performed by multimers of different protein subunits so investigation of protein-protein interactions is of great interest in many different areas of proteomic research. Introduction of new proteomics methodologies have enabled easier identification of protein interaction partners. However, efficient methodologies for screening for functionally important regions following protein-protein interaction are currently lacking. Potential applications where protein-protein interaction information is desirable include normal, cancer and pathogen cell function research.
The Oxford Invention
Oxford researchers have developed a new quantitative assay for studying protein surface changes following protein-protein interaction. The Q-POP assay combines existing mass spectrometry methods with biotinylation techniques.
Potential applications include:
* Identification and prioritisation of functionally important regions of interaction partners for further proteomic study (e.g. mutation studies)
* Identification of new drug targets
Studies for identifying novel drug targets and new potential drugs are often aided by elucidation of the 3-D structure of the proteins of interest and using these structures to screen chemical compound libraries for hits. However, X-ray crystallography for elucidating protein structure is very technically challenging and this method also does not give any indication of the functional state of proteins in solution. Compound library screens are also unlikely to isolate useful hits, if the target is not fully active without an interaction partner. The Oxford Invention provides an alternative, less time-consuming and cost-effective method for elucidating this information, utilising a more accessible technology.
Patent Status
The Oxford invention is the subject of a UK priority patent application. Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity. Please contact the Isis Project Manager.
Attached files:
Type of Offer: Licensing
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