The Protein Expression Facility (PEF) specialises in recombinant protein production to advance cutting-edge research across academia, industry and government sectors. PEF incorporates frontier protein technologies and a team of highly skilled specialists to deliver proteins for diverse applications. With a comprehensive protein production platform and a suite of expression systems, PEF designs and develops protein production strategies for over 200 discovery and translational projects per year. A broad spectrum of protein-based products are routinely produced in milligrams or grams quantity for end-use applications such as biotherapeutic and vaccine development, biocontrol technology, structural and functional studies, and modern diagnostic. Workshops, customised upskilling programs and one-on-one consultation are also offered. PEF has been recognised with multiple awards for its service excellence and teamwork.

Website

https://pef.facility.uq.edu.au/

Organisation type

• University Research Centre

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

Level 2, AIBN Building (75), The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072

Strengths and capabilities

• Molecular engineering strategies
• Parallel expression optimisation in four expression hosts
• Upstream and downstream bioprocessing engineering
• Protein analytics and characterisation
• Endotoxin-free DNA plasmid production
• Baculovirus/insect cell technology
• Transient and stable protein production
• Analytical method development
• Biotherapeutic and vaccine technology
• Virus-like particle engineering and production

Facilities and major equipment

• Molecular biology laboratory
• Cell culture laboratory
• Stirred-tank and rocking-motion bioreactors
• Semi-automated tangential flow filtration system
• Fast protein liquid chromatography purification systems
• A suite of protein analytics

Lead researchers

• Professor Linda Lua—Founded and established PEF into the Australia's leading protein research facility that enables hundreds of researchers
• Dr Balaji Somasundaram—Acadamic and industry downstream bioproess engineering

Achievements of the centre

• Convened Protein Australia conference bringing together scientists from 55 organisations to share leading protein technologies and network
• Innovative recombinant snake venom protein set to save lives
• Enabling Queensland ease of development and testing of Zika virus diagnostic tool

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Biotechnology
• Defence, aviation and space
• Engineering
• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Health and medical
• Tropical