Custom Solutions

With over 20 years of experience and manufacturing expertise our scientists are able to meet your needs for customized products.

Our custom protein production service includes cloning of the desired DNA into an expression vector, protein expression of the desired expression construct and protein purification via our proprietary Strep-tag® technology.

Furthermore, we develop and produce MHC I Streptamer® reagents with your specific allele and antigen.

Send an email to strep-tag@iba-lifesciences.com

General remarks about IBA´s custom services

Framework Agreement and Licensing
General remarks about IBA’s cloning, protein expression and purification services

Cloning is planned in close cooperation with the client. For example, we can introduce specific point mutations (such as additional restriction sites) into the termini of a gene via PCR cloning.
The original control sequencing print-outs of the gene insert can be provided on request. IBA does not guarantee that the encoded gene will be expressed.
For difficult gene syntheses prices and delivery times are adapted accordingly; IBA is not obliged to accept difficult gene syntheses.
If for any reason a successful PCR product cannot be obtained from a template supplied by the customer and/or the sequence information, a basic fee will be charged for our cloning attempts only.
In case, the Strep- or Twin-Strep-tag® tag was used, the purified protein is supplied as eluted from the Strep-Tactin® or Strep-Tactin®XT affinity column in elution buffer containing desthiobiotin or biotin, respectively.
Protein concentrations are determined using the theoretical extinction coefficient at 280 nm of the recombinant protein, which is determined by the addition of the extinction coefficients of the tryptophane and tyrosine residues present in the recombinant protein or by a colorimetric assay according to Bradford, with BSA as reference protein.
The original control sequencing print-outs of the gene insert can be provided on request. IBA does not guarantee that the encoded gene will be expressed.

Integrity, privacy and licensing

Our custom service requires the exchange of sensitive data. Therefore, all proprietary information and intellectual property transferred to IBA GmbH is kept absolutely confidential and is covered by a confidentiality agreement if requested.
As a service provider, we do not intend to claim any rights on proteins which we manufacture for our clients as long as the proteins are used for in-house research purposes only. However, a separate license for use of the Strep-tag® technology is necessary, if direct commercialization of ordered proteins is intended. This is also the case if clients use the Strep-tag® technology for the production of recombinant proteins in their own facilities with subsequent commercialization. IBA is authorized and ready to grant licenses for those purposes. IBA is not obliged to accept orders. Shipping costs are charged separately.

IBA patents, licensing and trademarks

Strep-Tactin® is covered by US6103493 and patent applications in Europe; the tetracycline promoter based prokaryotic expression system is covered by US5849576 and EP759997; Streptamer® technology for T-cell purification and Twin-Strep-tag® technology are protected by US 7,981,632 and further patent applications owned by IBA. Purchase of reagents related to these technologies from IBA provides a license for non-profit and in-house research use only. Cloning, expression or purification or other applications of above mentioned technologies for commercial use require a separate license from IBA. A license may be granted by IBA on a case-by-case basis, and is entirely at IBA’s discretion. Please contact IBA for further information on licenses for commercial use. Strep-tag®, Strep-Tactin®, Streptamer®, and Twin-Strep-tag® are registered trademarks of IBA Lifesciences GmbH.

Custom cloning

We synthesize the gene of interest (GOI) into an expression vector with the selected features (expression host, affinity tag, signal sequence, etc.). Please download and fill out our questionnaire for custom-specific gene synthesis and cloning, it will help us learn more about your project and requirements.

Questionnaire

Requirements for IBA's custom services:
The customer is requested to provide the complete gene sequence of interest in electronically readable form or its “Genbank“ accession number. Any information concerning the biochemistry of the protein of interest would be helpful for planning a suitable expression strategy.

For a direct request, please contact strep-tag@iba-lifesciences.com

Alternative procedure - StarGate Cloning

The use of the StarGate cloning system is of advantage for expression projects, where the best expression features (affinity tags, promoters or expression host) for the gene of interest are unknown.

This service comprise the synthesis of the desired gene into StarGate® Entry Vectors and subsequently the transfer into the StarGate Acceptor Vectors (providing a variety of expression features) with optimal control of expression in E. coli and mammalian cells.

For more information on the StarGate® system click here.

Customized protein expression and purification

We will deliver custom products specifically designed to support unique protein production needs from

cloning desired DNA into an expression vector with selected features, to
protein expression of the desired construct in E. coli and HEK293 cells, and
protein purification via Twin-Strep-tag®

Custom made to your specifications! Please download and fill out our questionnaire for customer-specific protein expression and purification or find out more about our integrated protein services in our service flyer.

Download questionnaire

Download service flyer

The expression procedure is divided into a test and a production phase.

Test Phase - expression is performed under standard conditions to evaluate the productivity of the expression system and to determine the culture volume necessary for the production of the amount of protein required by the customer.
Production Phase – expression and purification is performed in agreed culture volumes according to the yield of the recombinant protein as evaluated in the test phase.

E. coli expression
Mammalian expression

Custom protein expression in E.coli

Test Phase

E. coli test culture (200 ml) and induction of protein expression
Strep-Tactin® and/or Strep-Tactin®XT affinity purification, SDS-PAGE
Estimation of the culture volume required to produce the requested amount of protein
Time required: 1-2 weeks

Production Phase

E. coli culture in the appropriate volume, preparation of protein extract and Strep-Tactin® and/or Strep-Tactin®XT affinity purification
Optimization (on request): A set of different E. coli test cultures (200 ml) under various expression conditions and/or different affinity purification attempts can be performed. This set of experiments will be planned in close consultation with the client and depends on the initial results of the E. coli test scale expression.

Custom protein expression in mammalian cells

Test Phase

Transfection of mammalian cells
Transient protein production for fast generation of small protein amounts
Strep-Tactin® and/or Strep-Tactin®XT affinity purification from cell culture supernatant, SDS-PAGE
Estimation of the required culture volume to obtain the requested amount of protein
Time required: approximately 2 weeks

Production Phase

Transient transfection of mammalian cells is a powerful technology for the fast production of small amounts of recombinant proteins. Depending on adherent or suspension cells the customer can choose between 1L to 10L cultures.
Strep-Tactin® and/or Strep-Tactin®XT affinity purification

Strep-Tactin®XT on request - Develop your own assay

Strep-Tactin®XT has a high binding affinity with Twin-Strep-tag® in low picomolar range. Therefore it is highly suitable for screening for therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes as well assay development. For assay development we offer unconjugated Strep-Tactin®XT.

For requests please send us an email to strep-tag@iba-lifesciences.com

Strep-Tactin®XT benefits

1. Near covalent affinity maintaining reversible binding

2. One system for:

Purification of highly pure recombinant proteins at high yield
Assay development and screening for therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes

MHC I Streptamer® custom production

You cannot find the combination of MHC I allele and antigen you need for your experiment? Or you need an entirely new MHC I allele and/or antigen that you did not see in our current portfolio? We produce customized MHC I-Streps with the alleles and antigens according to your needs. If you already have your own peptide that you would like to use, just mention it in our questionnaire, otherwise we can synthesize the peptide for you.

Please get in contact with us for further information: strep-tag@iba-lifesciences.com

For requesting a quote for the development and production of MHC I Streptamer® reagents please download our custom production questionnaire below.