Efficient in vitro protein refolding is an important problem in protein structural analysis and biotechnological manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Because of their inherent ability to rapidly overexpress proteins to high yields, bacterial systems are the organisms of choice for protein mass production. But, overexpression of foreign and mutant proteins often leads to the development of large intracellular aggregates or inclusion bodies. The so-called 'protein-folding problem' is to blame for billions of dollars wasted in biotech industry. Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center have developed an in vitro protein folding system to (a) prevent large scale protein misfolding and aggregation and (b) concentrating aggregation prone in a stable non-aggregation form. This protein folding system is designed to operate at a relatively low cost and it has been demonstrated successful at folding sensitive oxidation prone proteins under anaerobic conditions as well as very large complex proteins. A folding kit is being developed and it is anticipated that this technology will benefit both basic science researchers and industry scientists. *Advantages*: * Inexpensive * Membrane proteins and concentrated large proteins (mg/ml range) can be folded in this system. * A unique 'catch and release' system ensures stabilization and easy removal from the folding kit. * The system is reversible and reusable.

File Number: 99KUMC218 

Web site: http://www.kumc.edu/biochemistry/fisherm.html

Other Information: *Third Party Rights* License has been granted in all fields other than the field of microfluidics to design and manufacture devices and formulate processes using fluids in the nano liter range. *State of Development* Proof of concept completed; scale up and development is in progress. *Testing* Development of a large protein folding kit.