Peptide synthesis and characterisation

Supporting innovative biotechnology

High purity peptides are utilised across a wide range of biotechnological applications - from the raising of antibodies to dye reporter systems and transfection agents. Peptides have been applied within the therapeutic field as novel diabetic therapies, potent analgesics or as alternative antibiotics. There is also growing interest into the use of peptides as surrogate extracellular matrices for 3D cell culture.

NPL is capable of producing a variety of complex peptides utilising the Fmoc / tBu approach with microwave assisted peptide synthesisers. This approach is capable of the sequential assembly of 12 x 0.1 mmol syntheses of long, aggregation prone peptide sequences.

We offer the following peptide modifications:

• Long Peptides (< 60 mers)
• D-amino acids / non-natural amino acids
• Repetitive, aggregation prone peptide sequences
• Branched peptides
• Peptide dye conjugation
• Disulfide bond formation
• Peptide lipidation

As the UK’s National Measurement Institute (NMI), we routinely purify peptides to > 90 % as verified via two gradients of analytical RP-HPLC and LCMS. Peptide yields from 10s to 100s of mg can be provided and either shipped to the customer or to used for experiments conducted at NPL. These peptides are utilised for a number of projects including the development of certified reference materials (CRMs)  and calibrants for a variety of applications, such as TEM, microscopy and ITC.

We have a range of available methods for synthesis and characterization of peptides and proteins:

• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
• Iso-thermal titration calorimetry (ITC)
• SEC-MALS
• TEM and Cryo-TEM
• Protein MS
• Protein crystallography
• Protein expression

Key Equipment supporting this service

• CEM Liberty Blue (2016)
• CEM Liberty Blue (2020)
• Virtis Benchtop Pro Lyophilizer / Edwards RV-12 Vacuum Pump
• Waters LC150 Preparative RP-HPLC system
• Thermo Scientific Dionex Ultimate 3000 Analytical RP-HPLC system
• Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive LCMSMS system / Sogevac SG65-BIFC Vacuum Pump / Genius 1022 Nitrogen Generator

Don’t see what you are looking for? Our diverse skill set enables us to provide bespoke solutions. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

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