Research
Protein Engineering and Molecular Manipulation of Baculovirus
Baculovirus is a model system for the study of insect virology and also a useful tool for protein expression. However, due to its nature as a lytic virus, the engineered proteins are easily to leak, in addition, the folding and post-translational modifications are all compromised. Recently, we have developed the first non-lytic baculovirus expression system. This system is not only making great improvement on protein production; we are also developing it as a useful library system for the identification of important target proteins, e.g. autoantigens, cellulase, and others.
It is known that a protein should be folded properly for functioning. In order to determine the folding status, protein should be mass produced and purified. To improve folding analysis, we have developed a methodology to study protein folding in vivo. It is interesting that this methodology can visualize a particular protein species among thousands of proteins in a cell. It is a real time protein folding assay system, and would be useful for various difficult studies.
Currently, we have also developed a genomic chip to study complicated networks of the baculovirus transcriptome. These studies were extended to the mammalian cells for eventually the production of humanized proteins using baculovirus. We are also developed baculovirus as molecular surrogate systems for the study of dangerous viruses. Also, we have identified novel interactions between G-actin and gene expression. These are all important breakthrough and patentable discoveries.
