Farfield Group Press Releases
01 Feb 2005 - Farfield illuminates the molecular world of membrane proteins…
Significant breakthroughs will benefit global drug discovery research. Farfield Sensors Ltd. now offers sensor chips and simple, durable protocols to produce phospholipid and mixed phospholipid membrane mimic structures. These structures provide an environment close to in vivo, in which the creation of phospholipid vesicles and bilayers covering PA, PC, PE, PG, PI and PS lipid types and their interaction with peripheral, integral and lipid anchor proteins can be studied and understood. This major advance will greatly enhance the understanding and manipulation of membrane proteins.The study of membrane proteins and their interactions has been recognised as challenging yet highly important in the global search for new therapeutic candidates. Understanding the structure and function of membrane lipids and proteins holds great potential in drug discovery and development. Many drug targets are receptor proteins, which carry external signals into the cell and mediate changes in cellular function (such as cell division). These proteins are often inserted into, or associated with, cell membranes. The membrane environment is crucial to the protein's structure and accessibility, allowing the protein to correctly perform its function within the cell.
Research on membrane mimics has been a focus at Farfield since 2003, following a BBSRC Small Business Research Initiative award in collaboration with Dr David Fernig from the University of Liverpool, to develop methodology for lipid immobilisation and subsequent membrane protein interactions. This enables the orientation and behaviour of protein – lipid structures to be measured in real time. In addition, subsequent protein – protein structures, interactions and function within phospholipid layers can now be investigated using Farfield's AnaLight® instrument range.
For further information on products and protocols associated with this exciting new enabling technology, please contact us by e-mail info@farfield-group.com