Collins Lab Blog

Protein assays

Sometimes the most basic technique, the one we take for granted, needs to be the focus of our most sagacious attention.

Such  is the case for the humble protein assay.

This is a technique where you don’t want to skimp on your calibration standards. Always use a high quality reference sample.

BSA, or IgG are the most commonly used protein standards.

No particular method for measurement of protein concentration is unambiguously correct, but consistency is very important.

This is also an area where one needs to exercise caution in generating a plot from assay results using the standards.

Money quote (my change in italics):

“linear regression does not necessarily provide a good basis for interpolating test sample concentrations”

Here I am quoting from a tip sheet, “How to use a protein assay standard curve“. There are many great resources for protein purification, a recommended starting point is this excellent article:

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