Berger GroupCollaborative Project P-CUBE
Protein Production Platform (P-CUBE) - Framework 7 Capacities Specific Programme Research Infrastructures
Starting date: 1 April 2009
Duration: 48 months
Total funding: € 6 600 000
Contract no: 227764
Coordinator: Prof. Markus Grütter, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Project web site: www.p-cube.eu
P-CUBE (Infrastructure for Protein Production Platforms) is the first project within the Seventh Framework Program of the EU that brings together research, networking and service activities. The program offers exciting cutting edge technologies in contemporary structural biology and provides a more general access to European users to the most advanced techniques in cloning, expression, protein characterisation and crystallisation free of charge.
It is also the philosophy of P-CUBE to share expertise between the different partner laboratories in order to improve technologies and standardize procedures, with the ultimate aim of disseminating this expertise throughout Europe. World leading European experts in the field of protein expression and production technologies from the University of Zurich, the University of Oxford and the European Molecular Biology Lab share expertise, equipment and their know-how to applicants to ensure smooth workflow
Access to the MultiBac-EMBL Platform
The facility in EMBL Grenoble (GR) supports design and assembly of multigene expression vectors and production of multiprotein complexes for structural and functional studies. EMBL GR has genetically engineered a novel baculovirus-based system, MultiBac-EMBL, for optimal production of eukaryotic multiprotein complexes in insect cells and has exploited advanced recombination methods to provide a flexible, automated platform for generation of multiprotein expression vectors. EMBL GR has streamlined baculovirus-based expression in insect cells so that it can be readily applied by a non-specialist user.
The MultiBac-EMBL platform is located at the Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB) close to the ESRF site where there are also further technical platforms for protein quality control and crystallisation.
Modality of access and work
The user will perform molecular biology steps in the home laboratory and then travel to EMBL GR for a 7-10 working day stay. During this time, the user will employ the MultiBac-EMBL platform for virus amplification and protein production screening as outlined above. The expected output will be verified virus stocks including production of virus that expresses the protein complex(es) of choice (typically production of 3-4 complexes is performed in parallel). Reagents, including the viruses, can be taken to the home laboratory for scale-up and complex production.
Person-in-charge for MultiBac-EMBL
Contact persons for all experimental details and procedures concerning MultiBac-EMBL are Fred Garzoni and Imre Berger.
Support offered
- Advice for multigene vector assembly.
- Quality controlled starting reagents plus straightforward protocols for home laboratory preparatory work.
- The PSB has significant experience in hosting scientific visitors (ESRF guesthouse or budget hotel accommodation could be used).
More information
Proposal Submission
Eligibility Criteria
Financial Support
Before the Experiment
After the Experiment
Travel to EMBL Grenoble
Accommodation and Subsistence