We offer recombinant peptide services for the expression and isolation of ribosomal (and non-ribosomal) recombinant peptides, oligopeptides, and polypeptides (linear and cyclic) or short protein fragments for partners. We have developed proprietary recombinant peptide manufacturing methods that enable the cost-effective production of peptides at scale.
Recombinant peptides overview
Historical significance
Biotechnology has enabled the rapid production of tailored bioactive recombinant peptides for use in the pharmaceutical industry, including recombinant insulin in the 1980s – the first successful product of the modern biotech industry. More recently, recombinant peptides are also being developed and commercialised for their functional properties. Our recombinant peptide services can bring modern synthetic biology methods to all sectors.
Recombinant peptide synthesis over chemical
Using recombinant peptides over other methods of production offers several advantages. Recombinant processes are typically more consistent than chemically synthesized peptides due to the inherent accuracy of ribosomal translation, enabling more straightforward CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls). Additionally, scaling recombinant peptides is typically easier than chemically synthesised peptides, with the cost of a peptide above ~10-15 amino acids at scale being generally lower.
Example recombinant peptide services
- Engineering expression constructs: We have discovered and developed a variety of protein tags, which include solubility or insolubility enhancing tags, affinity purification tags, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic cleavage tags.
- Cell-free or cell-based methods: We have both cell-free protein synthesis (ProteoSynth®) and cell-based methods to produce recombinant peptides using our IsoChassis® expression strains.
- Fermentation optimisation: Depending on our partner's needs, we use our rapid proprietary methods or develop and optimise bespoke ones.
- DSP optimisation: We have significant experience generating cost-effective methods for rapidly purifying recombinant peptides from cell mixtures, including cell lysis and purification.
- Technology transfer: We are highly equipped and experienced at generating technology transfer packages and supporting the transfer of these methods to outsourced fermentation facilities for recombinant peptide scale-up. This can either be a hands-off or a more detailed hands-on approach, depending on the client’s requirements.