Cell Envelope Compositions for Protein Studies and Biosensor Applications

Project Summary

Rapid progress in disease biomarker discovery has increased the need for robust detection technologies. In the past several years, the designs of many immunoaffinity reagents have focused on lowering costs and improving specificity while also promoting stability. Recently, cell envelope compositions that maintain membrane proteins in native or native-like lipid environment to enhance their stability have been developed. This cell envelope composition approach is now adapted toward stabilising antibody fragments by retaining their native cell wall environment.

The aim of this project is to produce novel cell envelope affinity reagents that can be used in point-of-care diagnostic & therapeutic applications. This interdisciplinary project will provide an opportunity for students to acquire diverse skills in chemistry, molecular biology and nanobiotechnology.

(For details see ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2016 Nov 16; 8(45): 30649–30664.)