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Your need: to analyze proteins, even in trace amounts or complex mixtures, to ensure the quality of your products
What is a protein?
A protein is a macromolecule made up of amino acids, essential to biological processes and key to biopharmaceutical development.
In the biopharmaceutical industry, protein analysis makes it possible to understand their structure, function, and purity, all of which are critical parameters for ensuring the safety and efficacy of innovative treatments.
It also plays a fundamental role in the characterization of recombinant proteins and the development of biopharmaceuticals.
Our protein services
The FILAB laboratory offers a wide range of analytical services for proteins. These specialized services are designed for biopharmaceutical manufacturers looking to characterize their proteins of interest in detail.
Functional and structural protein analysis
- Functional protein analysis: study of protein-protein interactions and enzymatic activities.
- Protein domain analysis by NMR: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for detailed structural analysis of protein domains.
- Protein sequence analysis: decoding amino acid sequences to better understand their biological functions.
Analysis of complex protein mixtures
Samples containing complex protein mixtures require specific analytical approaches:
- Protein mixture analysis: methods to separate, identify, and quantify proteins in complex matrices.
- Serum proteins: specific analysis of proteins present in sera for medical or biopharmaceutical applications.
- Identification of protein contaminants: detection and quantification of foreign proteins present in biopharmaceutical preparations.
Detect, quantify, and analyze proteins in the laboratory
Detect: identify the presence of a protein in a sample, in order to confirm a hypothesis or the presence of a component (for example via a protein identification test)
Quantify: measure protein concentration accurately to ensure the effectiveness, reproducibility, and reliability of analysis. Depending on the nature of your sample and your objectives, FILAB uses different assay methods, such as NanoDrop® UV spectrophotometry, colorimetric methods (Bradford, Lowry) or other suitable analytical approaches.
Analyze: explore the protein’s structure and function in depth using advanced techniques (for example mass spectrometry or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, NMR)
The different types of proteins
Support tissues ( collagen, keratin)
Catalyze chemical reactions (amylase, DNA polymerase)
Transmit cellular signals (insulin, growth factors)
Protect the body (antibodies)
Store nutrients or ions (ferritin, casein)
Enable movement (myosin, actin)
Capture signals (rhodopsin)
FILAB carries out tailor-made protein analysis to detect, quantify, and characterize your proteins using cutting-edge technologies
Why choose FILAB for protein analysis?
With more than 30 years of expertise in chemical and materials analysis, FILAB offers tailor-made solutions for protein analysis: quantification, contaminant identification, structural characterization, supported by cutting-edge technologies (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, UV…).
Expertise in plant matrices and complex trace-level samples
Our services make it possible to detect and analyze proteins, whether they are of plant origin or present at trace levels in complex extracts.
Analytical methods for protein characterization
To successfully characterize and analyze your proteins, FILAB uses cutting-edge techniques:
Analysis by HPLC : High-performance liquid chromatography for the separation and quantification of proteins.
Mass spectrometry : precise analysis of molecular masses to identify proteins and their post-translational modifications.
Raman spectroscopy : identification of protein structures and study of structural modifications.
Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) : separation of proteins according to their size to assess aggregation, stability or purity without chemical interaction with the column.
Protein analysis use cases
In regulated, highly technological industrial environments, protein analysis is a key lever for quality control, product development, and process security. FILAB supports industrial companies at every stage of the value chain, from R&D to batch release, thanks to comprehensive analytical expertise.
Before any manufacturing takes place, identifying and quantifying the proteins present in raw materials (particularly those of biological origin) is essential to:
- Verify the identity and purity of the protein components.
- Detect contaminants or allergenic traces.
Ensure compliance with pharmacopoeial specifications or supplier specifications.
In the biopharmaceutical sector, proteins are often the active ingredients themselves (monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, vaccines). Use cases include:
- Structural characterization (molecular weight, isoforms, folding).
- Stability assessment under thermal, chemical or mechanical stresses.
Monitoring protein aggregation or degradation over time.
For products requiring the absence of animal proteins or allergens (vegan cosmetics, products intended for children), targeted analysis can:
- Detect residual proteins at trace levels.
- Verify “protein-free” claims .
- Conduct post-cleaning checks on production equipment.
Protein analysis can identify exogenous proteins resulting from cross-contamination between batches or production lines, particularly in:
- Multi-product facilities in biotechnology.
- Pharmaceutical packaging lines.
- Aseptic environments with biological risks.
Protein analysis also supports the stages of pharmaceutical development or formulation, with applications such as:
- The stability monitoring of a protein in a new delivery system or excipient.
- The assessment of material–protein compatibility (container–product interactions).
The validation of analytical methods (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, etc.).
FAQ
Protein analysis is essential in biopharmaceuticals to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of biomedicines, such as monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic enzymes. It helps detect impurities, characterize protein structure and verify stability, particularly to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The main methods include mass spectrometry to identify proteins and their modifications, liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for structural analysis. These advanced techniques meet stringent requirements for accuracy and sensitivity.
Protein analysis helps clarify protein structure and function, which is essential for designing targeted biomedicines. It also enables the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis, verification of formulation purity and prediction of treatment efficacy, thereby accelerating the research and development process.
Proteins play an essential role in cosmetics, particularly hydrolyzed proteins such as rice proteins, which are analyzed for their anti-aging, moisturizing or repairing properties. They help enhance the effectiveness of skincare products while meeting specific skin needs.
Biopharmaceutical protein analysis involves characterizing therapeutic proteins (antibodies, enzymes, vaccines, etc.) to assess their purity, stability and compliance. It plays a key role in bringing biological treatments to market and ensuring their safety.
A protein analysis laboratory such as FILAB has the expertise and advanced equipment (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, UV spectrophotometry, etc.) required to provide reliable results, compliant with regulatory standards and tailored to industrial needs.
Protein quality control encompasses all analysis designed to verify the identity, concentration, integrity and absence of protein contaminants in a product. It is essential at every stage of the protein life cycle, from production through batch release.
A protein analysis in a laboratory consists of identifying, quantifying and characterizing the proteins present in a sample (finished product, raw material or formulation). It is essential for ensuring the quality and compliance of biopharmaceutical or cosmetic products.
Protein mass spectrometry is a key method for the precise identification of proteins, the characterization of post-translational modifications and the detection of protein contaminants. It offers very high sensitivity for complex mixtures.
Protein assay can be performed using various methods, including UV spectrophotometry. This technique enables the precise quantification of total or specific proteins in a sample.
Protein quantification aims to measure an overall concentration, whereas protein assay may target a specific protein or group of proteins, depending on the requirements of quality control or analytical development.
Protein assay depends on the nature of the sample and the required sensitivity. In the laboratory, methods such as UV spectrophotometry, colorimetry or mass spectrometry are preferred for more detailed analysis.
Protein quantification is performed using validated methods, such as spectrophotometry or chromatography, to ensure that the concentration meets the expected specifications, particularly in biopharmaceutical or nutritional products.
Yes, protein analysis by mass spectrometry enables the identification of protein contaminants, even at trace levels. This is crucial for detecting biological residues or cross-contamination in sensitive production environments.
