API
The Facility
The Alberta Peptide Institute (API) is a cost-recovery core
facility operating at the University of Alberta in the
Department of Biochemistry in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Founded in 1985 by Dr. Robert S. Hodges to meet the growing
demand for synthetic peptides, API has since expanded its
service to include all aspects of peptide and protein chemistry.
Our custom-built facility provides a worldwide service to
hundreds of researchers, on a cost-recovery basis.
Services include : peptide synthesis, HPLC purification of
peptides and proteins, peptide conjugation to protein carriers,
custom synthesis, amino acid analysis, peptide /protein
sequencing, mass spectrometry of peptide/proteins and peptide/
protein structure prediction and computer modeling. In
collaboration with the Department of Chemistry at the University
of Alberta, NMR, FAB-MS, and MALDI-MS, spectral services and
microanalysis services are also available. We supply
researchers with high quality service at competitive prices.
API works directly with the customer to provide the following
state of the art services :
- Peptide/Protein synthesis and HPLC purification
- Peptide conjugation to Protein carriers
- Custom Synthesis
- Amino Acid Analysis
- Peptide/Protein sequencing
- Mass Spectrometry of Peptides
- Protein isolations, purification and characterization
- Protein Antigenic Epitope Prediction
- Peptide/Protein Structure Prediction
- Special Projects in molecular modelling
Company Details
Total Sales ($CDN):
$200,000 - $500,000
Company Information
J.M. Robert Parker
Title:
Manager
Area of Responsibility:
Management Executive
Telephone:
(780) 492-2522
Fax:
(780) 492-1473
Products
Protein Sequencing
Services
Peptide Conjugation
API conjugates peptides to any carrier by unique photoprobe
technology developed in our laboratory. In addition, other
chemical coupling methods and MAPS technology are available.
Peptide Synthesis
Peptide Synthesis
By employing a variety of chemistries, Boc/Fmoc synthetic
strategies and instruments, API optimizes conditions for your
custom synthesis. Peptides are synthesized from milligram to
gram quantities using the ABI 430A peptide synthesizer or the
Labortec SP640 semi-automatic synthesizer.
All peptides are subjected to the following characterizations :
* HPLC,
* Amino Acid Analysis, and
* Mass Spectrometry.
Few peptide service facilities offer such comprehensive service
at such an affordable price.
API's modern laboratory and highly trained staff are fully
capable of synthesizing complex peptides. API welcomes
enquiries from researchers for unique and unusual sequences.
Hf Cleavage
HF Cleavage
API provides HF cleavage service for peptides synthesized
with Boc technology.
Peptide Analogs
API has recently added a multi-well peptide synthesizer to its
equipment inventory. This custom made innovative instrument
designed in Dr. Hodges' laboratory synthesizes up to 100 peptide
analogs quickly and efficiently using Fmoc chemistry. This
capability allows API to offer customers affordable peptide
analogs and peptide libraries.
Amino Acid Analysis
Amino Acid Analysis
Quantitive and qualitative amino acid analyses of peptides and
proteins are available using a Beckmand 6300 high performance
analyser. Analyses are performed with post-column ninhydrin
derivatization, which can detect low nanomolar quantities of
amino acids.
Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry
Our facility uses the following mass spectrometers to
characterize products :
* Electrospray LC-MS-MS ( Fison, VG Quattro) - This state-of-
the-art MS can separate crude samples (via HPLC) and provide a
mass spectrum for each resolved peak. The useful mass range is
500 to 120,000 Daltons.
* Plasma Desorption MS (Biolon 20) A Time of Flight MS - This
instrument is ideal for peptide samples up to 10,000 Daltons.
* Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) on magnetic sector instruments
(AEI, MS9, MS50) at both high and low resolutions with a mass
range up to 4000 Daltons.
Other ionization methods include electron impact, chemical and
field ionization and field desorption.
* Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption (MALDI) on time of flight
instruments (Katros MALDI I and HP MALDI).
Nmr Services
NMR Services
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) service facility in the
Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry includes a Varian
Unity 500 instrument, a Bruker AM 400/300 and Varian 300
instrument for solid state CPMAS experiments.
Spectral Services
Spectral Services
Optical rotary dispersion (ORD) and circular dichroism (CD)
services run on a Jasco ORD/UV-5-SS-20-2 instrument in the
190-700nm. range. Infrared spectrometry (IR) uses la Nicolet
Magna 750 Fourier transform system with a spectral range of
15,000 to 100cm.
Micro Analysis
Micro Analysis
Molecular weights (Westcan and Mechrolab osmometer) and
elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (Carlo Erba 1108),
chlorine, iodine, bromine and sulfur are determined.
Hplc
HPLC
API provides a full range of analytical chromatography (RPC,
IEC, SEC, HILIC, HIC) services. Preparative scale
chromatography is available for milligram quantities on semi-
preparative columns, to multi-gram scale on five centimetre
diameter preparative columns.
Peptide Standards
Peptide Standards
API markets a series of HPLC peptide standards for reversed-
phase, ion exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography. HPLC
peptide standards are essential to :
- Monitoring column performance (efficiency, selectivity, and
resolution).
- Standardize peptide retention times.
- Monitor non-specific ionic interactions
- Evaluate different packings (n-alkyl chain length. Ligand
density) and packings from different manufacturers.
- Monitoring the effect of changing elution conditions
(solvents, buffers, gradient rates, flow rates, etc.).
Biotechnology