The Protein Production Unit (PPU) provides the expression and purification of quality recombinant proteins for a variety of downstream applications such as the generation of highly-specific antibodies, biophysical, biochemical and/or functional characterizations or structural studies by Cryo-EM. The Unit offers state-of-the-art technologies and scientific/technical expertise for protein production from E. coli, baculovirus-insect cell and mammalian cell systems to researchers from CNIO as well as external users from academia and industry. To this end, all steps of protein production, from the cloning (and mutagenesis if needed) of target genes in expression vectors and their heterologous expressions in prokaryotic or eukaryotic systems, to the subsequent purification of the corresponding proteins by chromatographic techniques, are carried out by the Unit. Furthermore, we provide support, training, materials and equipments to those researchers interested in setting up their protein production experiments.

Beyond servicing, the Unit is regularly involved in research projects for the generation and development of specific recombinant antibodies and antibody fragments for research, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.