Purification and analysis of native membrane proteins Fast, detergent-free workflows for challenging drug targets
Membrane protein purification and analysis made effortless
A new approcach for the most challenging drug targets: Membrane proteins are at the core of modern therapies, yet they remain among the most challenging targets to work with: difficult to isolate, prone to losing their native structure, and often requiring weeks of labour-intensive expert work in special facilities.
But isolation of membrane proteins does not have to be complex anymore. A new approach enables detergent-free, automated membrane protein purification and provides assays of purified membrane proteins in their native 3D structure in less than three hours. The workflow is based on the benchtop liquid handler CyBio FeliX in connection with the new, award-winning polymer-based assay CUBE PlateX MPTM . It turns the former high-risk endeavor into a standard walk-away lab routine and helps overcome a central bottleneck of drug discovery.
Discover a new standard in membrane protein research:
- Easy, automated purification, no manual steps required
- Assays ready in less than three hours
- High yields of purified proteins in their native 3D structure
- Works in standard laboratories - no cool rooms needed
- Highly reproducible results with minimal variability
Free web seminar: From expert task to lab routine – membrane protein purification and analysis simplified
Fast and easy automated membrane protein purification and analysis is now within reach.We present a fully automated, detergent-free purification workflow combined with compact solutions for downstream analysis. Discover how to accelerate R&D timelines with streamlined purification, digital sample miniaturization, and protein characterization via thermal shift analyses, with solutions from a single source.
June 30, 2026 – 4 pm MEST
Join us and learn how to simplify drug research. The web seminar is hosted by Drug Target Review.
The potential of membrane proteins
Membrane proteins are a uniquely powerful class of biological targets. They include ion channels, G‑protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), and transporters. As key mediators of cell signaling, transport, and immune recognition, they represent a critical link between fundamental biology and therapies. Large parts of their therapeutical potential however has been untapped due to their analytical challenges:
- ~ 30 % of all human proteins are membrane proteins
- > 60 % of approved drugs directly act on membrane protein targets
- < 10 % of membrane protein targets have been identified to date
The proteins play a pivotal role in severe conditions and in highly prevalent chronic diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, but also diabetes, allergies, cardiovascular diseases, or psychological disorders. Simplifying purification overcomes a major barrier in drug discovery and ultimately opens new treatment options for patients across a broad range of indications.
Why purification was a limiting factor in drug discovery
Purification has long been limiting drug research of critical and highly profitable drugs. The reason is that the proteins are stably anchored in the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Highly specialized, labor‑intensive workflows and days of manual expert work were needed for isolating the proteins , often in dedicated infrastructure such as cold rooms. In addition, detergents used in traditional workflows often led to losses in functionality and stability, which are however essential to generate meaningful and reliable results in downstream analyses. These personnel‑intensive workflows were difficult to automate or scale and often associated with high variability in outcomes, turned membrane protein research into a high‑risk endeavor involving
- High costs
- Long R&D timelines,
- Uncertain success rates
As a result, investment and funding decisions were made with utmost caution and even highly promising projects were at times shelved altogether or pursued only after exceptionally rigorous and restrictive evaluation. This is beginning to change with the new approach. It reduces risk, improves reliability, and makes membrane protein research increasingly predictable and scalable.
Detergent-free automated membrane protein purification
Polymer-based extraction combined with the right automation transforms membrane protein purification into a reliable laboratory routine. A new workflow is based on the automated liquid handler CyBio FeliX in combination with the PlateX MP™ purification assay from CUBE Biotech and turns a previously complex process into a robust walk-away solution. This enables significantly higher yields compared to manual workflows while preserving the native 3D structure of the proteins.
The automated workflow is based on CyBio FeliX combined with the PlateX MPTM purification assay. The fully automated application requires only the loading of cell samples and reagents. The purification process takes less than three hours, delivering membrane proteins in their native 3D structure and ready for downstream analysis like TSA or functional analysis.
Benchtop automation with CyBio FeliX
CyBio FeliX is a compact benchtop liquid handler. The device enables flexible sample and assay formats with freely configurable buffers, volumes, and reagents.
- Ready-to use membrane proteins in < three hours
- 3-4 times higher purified proteins yields compared to manual processes
- Consistent results, native structure, no variability
- Walk-away process with no manual worksteps
- Small footprint, suitable for sterile as well as non-sterile environments
- Individual creation of protocols with FeliX composer
- Use your own compound library for further sample creation with FeliX
Polymer-based purification of membrane proteins
The polymer-based assay PlateX MPTM by CUBE Biotech stabilizes membrane proteins by preserving key lipid bilayer components, protecting its native structure and functionality. When embedded in in an automated workflow, this approach reduces variability and delivers native membrane protein samples that are directly compatible with downstream techniques such as thermal shift analysis, functional assays, or Cryo‑EM.
Application note
More protein in less time: Automated native membrane protein purification with CyBio FeliX
In tests run with CyBio FeliX in connection with Cube PlateX MPTM, the workflow demonstrated excellent results across a wide range of membrane proteins, including ion channels, GPCRs, and single‑pass proteins. See for your self in our application note.
Solutions for downstream analysis
From purified proteins to actionable data
Automated detergent‑free purification is the beginning of drug research. Membrane protein assays purified with CyBio FeliX and PlateX MP™ are compatible with a broad range of downstream applications. With PULSEspencer R and qTOWER iris, Analytik Jena provides a seamlessly integrated workflow that continues membrane protein purification with miniaturization and protein characterization. Both instruments enable scalable, high‑confidence TSA workflows from focused experiments to high‑throughput screening.
One workflow. One partner. Analytik Jena supports a complete, end‑to‑end workflow from cell sample to decision‑ready data. Coordinated technologies, compatible consumables, and application‑driven support simplify workflows, reduce variability, and accelerate timelines in membrane protein research. Get your solutions from one partner.
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Sample miniaturization: digital power for precious reagents
Even when automated, purified membrane proteins are valuable and often available only in limited quantities. Digital dispensing with the PULSEspencer R enables precise sample miniaturization down to the picoliter range. This significantly reduces sample and reagent consumption while simultaneously increasing throughput and reproducibility.
- Broad miniaturiziation range (8 pL - 200 µL)
- Non-contact dispensing minimizing cross contamination
- automated volume calculation
- High throughput
- Enables TSA with sensitive reagents
Application Note
Miniaturized Thermal Shift Assay of β-lactoglobulin using PULSEspencer R and qTOWER iris 384
Discover how the PULSEspencer R enables precise, automated low-volume dispensing using digital inkjet technology. Its accurate picoliter droplet generation ensures reliable assay setup while reducing preparation time and manual error, validated by LMX-LUMINA optical volume measurements.
Protein characterization by thermal shift analysis
Thermal shift analysis (TSA) is a key method to assess membrane protein stability, folding, and ligand interactions. The real-time PCR cycler qTOWER iris enables sensitive thermal shift assays for hydrophobic proteins. UVA-capable optics support dyes like CPM and 1,8-ANS, while high sensitivity detects even small fluorescence changes for accurate protein melting temperature measurements with reproducible melting curves. Compatible with 96- and 384-well formats, it scales effortlessly from single experiments to high-throughput screening.
- Clear signals from UV-A to Near Infrared (NIR)
- Multiplexing: up to six targets simultaneously
- Your choice: Modules, consumables, reagents, and assays
- Ergonomic and whisper-quiet
Application note
High-Throughput UVA-Based Thermal Shift Assays for Hydrophobic Proteins Using the qTOWER iris
Our application note demonstrates how to efficiently assess the thermal stability of hydrophobic proteins under medium- and high throughput conditions. Thermal shift assays performed on the qTOWER iris qPCR Thermal cycler (96- or 384 well) using fluorescent dyes such as 1,8-ANS or CPM enable reliable, high-throughput detection of hydrophobic proteins.
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Downloads
More protein in less time: Automated native membrane protein purification with CyBio FeliX (EN)
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High-Throughput UVA-Based Thermal Shift Assays for Hydrophobic Proteins Using the qTOWERiris (EN)
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Miniaturized Thermal Shift Assay (TSA) of β-lactoglobulin using PULSEspencer R and qTOWER iris 384 (EN)
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