The Weizmann Structural Proteomics Unit – From protein engineering to structure prediction & determination

The Structural Proteomics Unit (SPU) implements all steps in the pipeline from gene to protein structure prediction and determination. The center collaborates with and provides service to the scientific community, clinicians and industry by making available its expertise in DNA manipulation, protein expression, protein purification and protein structure determination and prediction. In addition, large quantities of purified proteins are produced for biochemical, animal and biophysical studies. The SPU is a member of the European research infrastructure Instruct-ERIC.

The unit employs the RF and TPCR cloning methodologies. The strength of these methods lies in their simplicity and flexibility, which can be harnessed for cloning, insertion and/or deletion of DNA sequences, and single and multiple-site mutagenesis. The SPU produces recombinant and engineered proteins in bacteria (E. coli), insect cells (Sf9, Tni) and in suspension Expi293F cells. Proteins are purified primarily by FPLC and if required, by HPLC. Additionally, we provide assistance in protein folding and characterization. The availability of this pipeline was appreciated in the early stages of the Covid19 pandemic, when the center was able to handle the enormous urgent demand for proteins related to Covid research.

Protein structure determination is performed primarily by X-ray crystallography. The SPU has a new liquid-metal-jet X-ray system with unprecedented high intensity. The SPU also conducts comparative sequence-based-structure analysis to correlate the structure to the function and biochemical properties. The SPU also predict protein, and protein-protein structures. Thus, the SPU is a center for guidance and performance in all aspects of protein production and analysis.