31 March 2005
The world's largest parallel protein purification workstation is now operating at Monash University, improving Australian scientists' abilities to study the molecular structure and function of proteins.
The Äktaxpress allows up to 48 proteins to be produced simultaneously, giving Australian scientists the materials they need to conduct life-saving protein-based research.
Monash University researcher and Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium scientific director Dr James Whisstock said protein research currently focused on understanding the atomic structure of proteins and how they functioned.
"If we understand the molecular shape of a protein, we can begin to understand how it works," Dr Whisstock said. "Heart disease, cancers, osteoporosis and immune deficiencies are just some examples of illnesses that manifest through the actions of proteins. Knowing how proteins function not only gives us a better understanding of these illnesses but also points the way to effective therapies.
"Currently our ability to study the molecular structure and function of proteins is constrained by the rate at which we can produce proteins for analysis. The more we can produce, the more we can study, the more we can learn."
At the moment, scientists can produce only one protein at a time. The process involves growing bacteria in the lab, disrupting the cells, washing the samples and finally extracting and purifying the proteins. It can take up to a week to complete.
Dr Whisstock said the Äktaxpress, produced by GE Healthcare, allowed scientists to produce 48 different proteins at a time.
"A typical scientist would be hard pushed to produce large scale quantities of 48 different proteins in a year, let alone in the eight hours it takes for the Äktaxpress to do its work," he said.
Monash has invested in a 12-module Äktaxpress system, the largest configuration of its kind in the world. The equipment has been funded through an Australian Research Council Linkage - Infrastructure (equipment and facilities) grant awarded to researchers from Monash, the University of Melbourne and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
For more information contact Diane Squires in the media communications office on 9905 9315 or 0417 603 400.
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