Rubber Consultants’ Biotechnology Unit was established in 2008. The state-of-the-art facilities, occupying an area of some 275m², include purpose-built laboratories and office space as well as a bioinformatics facility that contains a 55-core high-performance Linux computing cluster. The location of Rubber Consultants, just outside London, England, is advantageous due to its close proximity to leading biotechnology centres in the UK and Europe.

Rubber Consultants’ Biotechnology services are able to offer the following:

• Tailor-made individual projects, designed to meet the specific needs of clients – these can entail routine laboratory procedures, but can also extend to in-depth research projects that encompass sample preparation, data collection, troubleshooting and data analysis.
• Projects can range from routine DNA extraction from large numbers of samples using a QIAcube to analysis of gene expression using our 7900HT qPCR instrument.
• Advice and practical assistance with troubleshooting and interpretation of results
• e.g. analysis of qPCR data, bioinformatics support
• Training of personnel in specialised research areas / degree training / student mentoring in collaboration with UK universities
• Accredited test method development
• Space in the fully equipped facility on a ‘bench fee’ basis  

Rubber Consultants Biotechnology services can provide specific assistance in the following disciplines:

Molecular Biology

• Nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) extraction from a wide range of tissue
• Protein purification from bacterial cultures or plant tissues
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification of template
• Gene cloning and protein expression – plant or bacterial heterologous systems
• Production of recombinant proteins in E. coli or plant systems e.g. Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana tabacum

Genomics

• Sanger sequencing
• Gene expression analysis through qPCR
• Molecular marker development and validation
• Genotyping using a range of molecular markers e.g. SNP, SSR, AFLP, RFLP
• Genetic mapping
• QTL mapping and its utilisation in Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) and Marker Assisted Breeding (MAB)

Proteomics

• Protein characterisation
• Study of protein processing, maturation and targeting – in vitro and in vivo approaches
• Generation of protein mutants for studies of protein stability and functionality
• Stability and kinetics of protein-protein and protein-antibody interactions
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total protein content

Bioinformatics

• De novo sequence assembly from Next Generation and Sanger sequencing platforms
• Functional annotation of genomic sequence
• Gene and protein sequence analysis
• Data curation

Fully equipped laboratories with state-of-the-art instrumentation including:

• 3130xl Genetic Analyser (Applied Biosystems); capillary electrophoresis / DNA sequencing
• 7900HT (Applied Biosystems); real time quantitative PCR
• Nanodrop II (Innovadyne); a low volume, high-precision pipetting platform (www.gilsonuk.com/nano/apps)
• QIAcube (Qiagen); automated nucleic acid purification
• ÄKTA Avant 25 (GE Healthcare); Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC)
• Equipment to run two-dimensional protein gels, with powerful Delta2D software for visual analysis and quantification
• Experion (BIO-RAD); automated electrophoresis system for separation and analysis of protein and nucleic acid samples

Use of these instruments and associated equipment can be offered on a bench fee basis. Office space may also be negotiated if required.

The Biotechnology Unit is also able to offer low temperature storage for a wide range of samples in a New Brunswick U725-G -80^oC freezer facility, as well as storage in cryogenic conditions.

UKAS Accredited Testing Facility for the Modified Lowry Latex protein assay

Rubber Consultants Biotechnology Unit offers a testing service for the quantification of aqueous extractable protein from natural rubber and its products through the Modified Lowry assay. In-house methods are available for both the American (ASTM D5712-10) and European (EN 455-3:2006) standards. The laboratory was awarded UKAS-accreditation for the in-house method based on ASTM D5712-10 method in September 2011, and aims to complete the remaining requirements for UKAS-accreditation of the EN 455-3:2006 method by early 2012.

Rubber Consultants staff are experienced in testing of a range of natural rubber products including latex gloves, balloons, and exercise bands, and are also able to assist with the interpretation of results if required.

Other services offered by Rubber Consultants are:

Analytical Services
Pharmaceutical Testing
Bioinformatics
Rubber in Engineering
Prototype Design & Manufacturing
Moldflow Simulation
Rubber Technology
Contract Research
Physical Testing
Tyre Testing
Expert Witnesses

If you require any of our services do not hesitate to contact us.