10 lab products making their mark in protein biology research

From sample prep to downstream analysis, discover the products making a difference for other scientists in your field

27 Nov 2020

Finn Price

Administrator / Office Personnel

Editorial article

Our aim at SelectScience^® has always been to provide scientists with the best possible information to help them make the right purchasing decisions to advance their work. But we couldn't do that without the support and input of our vast community of reviewers based in labs across the globe. Here, as part of our latest Protein Biology Special Feature, we pull together a selection of our favorite reviews of technologies involved in protein biology research. Find out why these products have caught the eyes of your peers and see how they could be used to improve your own workflow!

1. Sample preparation

Samples often need to be homogenized before the protein of interest can be extracted and analyzed. Doing this by hand is labor intensive and can yield variable results. With Bertin’s Precellys^® Evolution, however, this is a problem of the past!

2. Protein capture

Improve your ability to isolate low-abundance and low-molecular-weight proteins with the Nanotrap^® Blue Protein Capture Kit from Ceres Nanosciences. This kit binds low-abundance proteins while excluding unwanted high-abundance proteins allowing you to identify a higher number of unique peptides and proteins.

3. Protein Miniprep

If time is not on your side, this kit uses a straightforward spin-wash-elute protocol to dramatically simplify protein purification and provide results in minutes. The protein purified using Zymo Research’s His-Spin™ Protein Miniprep Kit can be used directly for enzymatic assays, protein biochemical analyses, SDS PAGE, as well as other protein-based applications.

4. Centrifugal concentration

Concentrating isolated proteins using centrifugal concentrators is a staple for many labs. While Sartorius's Vivaspin columns are a simple solution, they are not to be underestimated!

5. Protein gel electrophoresis

Once you’ve finished separating your protein by electrophoresis, why take any chances capturing your results? The UVP GelSolo from Analytik Jena can not only capture images of your gels, but it can also be used to calculate fragment sizes or quantify your sample in a few simple steps.

6. Spectrophotometry

The DS-11 FX+ from DeNovix can rapidly quantify nucleic acid and protein samples over one of the broadest dynamic ranges of any microvolume spectrophotometer available. Alongside combining microvolume and cuvette analysis, its additional fluorescence capabilities and intuitive interface have made the DS-11+ a firm favorite amongst the range of available microvolume spectrophotometers.

7. Assay development

For more complex and higher throughput analyses, stepping up from a single channel instrument to a multichannel microplate reader is an absolute must. The CLARIOstar^® Plus Multi-mode Microplate Reader from BMG LABTECH is one such absorbance and fluorescence reader.

8. Protein binding

For studying protein complexes and their formation or even protein binding, a more specialist approach is required. Fluidic Analytics’ Fluidity One-W allows you to study proteins in near-native conditions and quickly determine binding affinities and binding stoichiometry with ease.

9. Protein-protein interactions

If your work requires the detection of protein interactions in live cells, then Promega’s NanoBiT^® PPI System is the assay kit for you. This kit enables you to perform real-time kinetic analysis in live cells and can be scaled from bench-scale through to high-throughput screening in 1,536-well plates.

10. Protein stability

NanoTemper Technologies’ Prometheus NT.48 offers simultaneous, multi-parameter characterization throughout an entire run, measuring thermal unfolding, particle sizing, and aggregation as well as chemical denaturation for a detailed stability profile. For trustworthy, high-resolution stability characterization, look no further.

These are just a few of the available products that have helped your peers and could make an impact in your laboratory. For more reviews of technologies in your field, visit our product and reviews directory or leave your own review today and help other scientists level up their equipment and consumables.

I think it is very important to get a truthful review from end-users, especially those who are experienced and involved in research. It is valuable information that comes from such sources because it gives the opportunity to understand practical features, pros and cons, rather than marketing information from the manufacturer.

Sergiy Romanov Intertech Corporation

Learn more about why other scientists leave and read product reviews >>

Find the latest protein biology news and resources in our Protein Biology Special Feature>>

Related products

Request Quote for All Products

Vivaspin® Turbo
Sartorius Group
Classical concentration and buffer exchange methods are labor intensive, generate excessive waste and suffer from sample loss and long process times. It can also be difficult to retrieve retentate samples from centrifugal ultrafilters when using standard pipette tips. To overcome these challenges, Sartorius has developed Vivaspin® Turbo - the ultimate range of centrifugal ultrafilters. These feature highly optimized designs and membrane options to offer the highest processing speeds, maximum biomolecule recoveries, and straightforward retentate retrieval.
(5)
DS-11 Series Spectrophotometer / Fluorometer
DeNovix
DeNovix takes spectrophotometry to a whole new level of performance with the DS-11 Series. This easy-to-use, compact spectrophotometer delivers full spectrum UV-Vis analysis and fluorescence capability, making it ideal for rapid nucleic acid and protein quality control.
(498)
Nanotrap® Blue Protein Capture Kit
Ceres Nanosciences, Inc.
The Ceres Nanosciences Nanotrap® Protein particles utilize affinity capture and size exclusion to attract and bind low abundance proteins, while excluding unwanted high abundance and high molecular weight interfering molecules.
(1)
His-Spin™ Protein Miniprep Kit
Zymo Research
Fast His-tagged protein purification.
(5)
Precellys® Evolution - Tissue Homogenizer
Bertin Technologies
This product has been discontinued. See the newer version of this product linked below.
(124)
CLARIOstar® Plus Multi-mode Microplate Reader
BMG LABTECH
Most flexible Multi-mode Microplate Reader for Assay Development
(124)
NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems
Promega Corp.
NanoLuc® Binary Technology (NanoBiT) is a two-subunit system based on NanoLuc® luciferase that can be applied to the intracellular detection of protein:protein interactions (PPIs) in live cells. The NanoBiT® system is composed of two small subunits, Large BiT (LgBiT; 18kDa) and Small BiT (SmBiT; 11 amino acid peptide), that are expressed as fusions to target proteins of interest. The LgBiT and SmBiT subunits have been independently optimized for stability and minimal self-association. Interaction of the target proteins facilitates subunit complementation to give a bright, luminescent enzyme. The NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems provide the vectors required to create the LgBiT and SmBiT protein fusions, a PRKACA:PRKAR2A constitutively interacting positive control pair and a negative control vector. Starter systems also include the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Assay System, a single-addition, non-lytic detection reagent used for monitoring NanoBiT® luminescence in living cells. The reagent is prepared by diluting the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Substrate with the Nano-Glo® LCS Dilution Buffer to make the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Reagent. Both substrate and buffer solutions are optimized to provide enhanced stability and reduce autoluminescence in the presence or absence of serum, increasing the sensitivity for detection of low levels of NanoBiT® luminescence. The FKBP:FRB pair is provided separately as an inducible positive control. Expression is driven by HSV-TK promoter, providing constitutive, low-level expression in mammalian cells. Using the NanoBiT® MCS Starter System, you can generate N- and C-terminal LgBiT and SmBiT fusions to proteins of interest using traditional cloning with a multiple cloning site (MCS). Using the NanoBiT® Flexi® Starter System, you can generate N- and C-terminal LgBiT and SmBiT fusions using the Flexi® Vector Cloning System, a directional cloning method based on two rare-cutting restriction enzymes, SgfI and PmeI, that provides a rapid, efficient and high-fidelity way to transfer protein-coding regions between Flexi® Vectors without the need to resequence. Utilize Find My Gene™ to obtain your ORF clones already in Flexi® format for simple creation of fusions. Features: Obtain Greater Sensitivity: Bright signal and reduced background improve sensitivity, signal:background ratio and dynamic range. More Accurately Model PPI Biology: Minimize artifacts with small tags and low, natural expression levels; perform real-time kinetic analysis in live cells. Precisely Measure Interaction Dynamics: Low affinity of tags minimizes spontaneous LgBiT:SmBiT association; complementation is easily reversible allowing accurate analysis of protein association and disassociation. Perform Simple Measurement: Bright luminescent output is ideal for any luminometer with no specific filter or injector requirements. Scale Your Assays: Assays can be scaled from bench to HTS, allowing use with any plate size up to 1,536-well format; detection reagent has been optimized for benchtop stability. Applications: Real-time measurements of PPI dynamics. Single-copy or single-cell measurements of PPI. PPI modulator screens in 384- or 1536-well formats.
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Tags

Protein PurificationProtein CrystallographyProtein QuantificationProtein ExpressionProtein DetectionProtein Expression Protein SeparationProtein InteractionsProtein StructureProtein Purification Protein Stability Protein Biology

NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems

Promega Corp.

NanoLuc® Binary Technology (NanoBiT) is a two-subunit system based on NanoLuc® luciferase that can be applied to the intracellular detection of protein:protein interactions (PPIs) in live cells. The NanoBiT® system is composed of two small subunits, Large BiT (LgBiT; 18kDa) and Small BiT (SmBiT; 11 amino acid peptide), that are expressed as fusions to target proteins of interest. The LgBiT and SmBiT subunits have been independently optimized for stability and minimal self-association. Interaction of the target proteins facilitates subunit complementation to give a bright, luminescent enzyme. The NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems provide the vectors required to create the LgBiT and SmBiT protein fusions, a PRKACA:PRKAR2A constitutively interacting positive control pair and a negative control vector. Starter systems also include the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Assay System, a single-addition, non-lytic detection reagent used for monitoring NanoBiT® luminescence in living cells. The reagent is prepared by diluting the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Substrate with the Nano-Glo® LCS Dilution Buffer to make the Nano-Glo® Live Cell Reagent. Both substrate and buffer solutions are optimized to provide enhanced stability and reduce autoluminescence in the presence or absence of serum, increasing the sensitivity for detection of low levels of NanoBiT® luminescence. The FKBP:FRB pair is provided separately as an inducible positive control. Expression is driven by HSV-TK promoter, providing constitutive, low-level expression in mammalian cells. Using the NanoBiT® MCS Starter System, you can generate N- and C-terminal LgBiT and SmBiT fusions to proteins of interest using traditional cloning with a multiple cloning site (MCS). Using the NanoBiT® Flexi® Starter System, you can generate N- and C-terminal LgBiT and SmBiT fusions using the Flexi® Vector Cloning System, a directional cloning method based on two rare-cutting restriction enzymes, SgfI and PmeI, that provides a rapid, efficient and high-fidelity way to transfer protein-coding regions between Flexi® Vectors without the need to resequence. Utilize Find My Gene™ to obtain your ORF clones already in Flexi® format for simple creation of fusions. Features: Obtain Greater Sensitivity: Bright signal and reduced background improve sensitivity, signal:background ratio and dynamic range. More Accurately Model PPI Biology: Minimize artifacts with small tags and low, natural expression levels; perform real-time kinetic analysis in live cells. Precisely Measure Interaction Dynamics: Low affinity of tags minimizes spontaneous LgBiT:SmBiT association; complementation is easily reversible allowing accurate analysis of protein association and disassociation. Perform Simple Measurement: Bright luminescent output is ideal for any luminometer with no specific filter or injector requirements. Scale Your Assays: Assays can be scaled from bench to HTS, allowing use with any plate size up to 1,536-well format; detection reagent has been optimized for benchtop stability. Applications: Real-time measurements of PPI dynamics. Single-copy or single-cell measurements of PPI. PPI modulator screens in 384- or 1536-well formats.

(13)

10 lab products making their mark in protein biology research

Editorial article

1. Sample preparation

2. Protein capture

3. Protein Miniprep

4. Centrifugal concentration

5. Protein gel electrophoresis

6. Spectrophotometry

7. Assay development

8. Protein binding

9. Protein-protein interactions

10. Protein stability

Related products

Vivaspin® Turbo

DS-11 Series Spectrophotometer / Fluorometer

Nanotrap® Blue Protein Capture Kit

His-Spin™ Protein Miniprep Kit

Precellys® Evolution - Tissue Homogenizer

CLARIOstar® Plus Multi-mode Microplate Reader

NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems

Links

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Vivaspin® Turbo

DS-11 Series Spectrophotometer / Fluorometer

Nanotrap® Blue Protein Capture Kit

His-Spin™ Protein Miniprep Kit

Precellys® Evolution - Tissue Homogenizer

CLARIOstar® Plus Multi-mode Microplate Reader

NanoBiT® PPI Starter Systems