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Contact Peter Sharratt
01223 764502
p.j.sharratt@bioc.cam.ac.uk |
Amino Acid Analysis
Status of this Service |
Normal |
Orders are accepted from any University of Cambridge Department for amino acid composition analysis of purified proteins and peptides. We do not routinely perform physiological analyses but custom separations may be possible depending on the requirements so please enquire. New customers should discuss their work with Peter Sharratt (33638) before submitting samples. Results will generally be available within 3 days; a FASTRAK service (within 24h) is available for limited sample numbers by prior arrangement.
Institutions external to Cambridge University - Services are available to non-University of Cambridge clients when there is spare capacity in the system; please email Peter to request use of the service. We do have a limited capacity to accept requests from Industry; please enquire.
- Please read guidance before preparing your sample
- All orders must be on an official order form, detailing all relevant and requested information
- Attach a hard copy departmental purchase order (Biochemistry only - a grant code)
- Postal address
Standard ion-exchange-ninhydrin analysis & Prices
Standard analysis of protein hydrolysates will be performed on an ion-exchange analyser; 100-300pmol of protein or 1-5nmol of peptide will be required per analysis. Charges are per machine run, not per sample as a single sample may require more than one run (e.g. if done in replicate). One run identifies all hydrolysate amino acids except Trp and Cys; Cys can be quantified in a separate run after oxidation if requested. Please note that Asn and Gln will be hydrolysed to Asp and Glu respectively so results return Asx and Glx.
- Biochemistry Department £12
- Cambridge University Departments £18
- Other Academic £35+VAT (no exemption); see important notes
- Industry (where capacity permits) £50+VAT (no exemption); see important notes
Specialised AccQ-tag/hplc analysis & Prices 
For high sensitivity work, where only low pmol amounts of sample are available (e.g. from electroblots), analyses can be performed by hplc using precolumn derivatization with a fluorescent reagent. This type of analysis is particularly recommended for the analysis of samples which are not derived from protein hydrolysates. This is a specialised service and may therefore take a little longer. For unusual separations, it may be necessary to make charges to cover the costs of developing a particular analysis method. This will be discussed with the client.
- All charges as above plus £10 surcharge per analysis
Sample preparation
Ideally samples should be free of buffer salts, particularly amines. Small amounts of buffers (50mM phosphate,Tris, TBS) can be tolerated by the instrumentation if the protein sample is sufficiently concentrated. Detergents and carbohydrates should be avoided where possible, but if their use is necessary, be sure to specify the type and concentration on the sample submission form. It is wise to discuss individual sample preparation procedures with Peter Sharratt before submitting samples.
Revisions: form 17 May 04, prices Jan 2003, Oct 2010 Prices are continually reviewed and subject to change without notice.
Notes
You must agree to Standard Terms for Processing Samples on order form. VAT will be payable on all external orders as exemption (zero-rate) does not cover supply of 'information' (i.e. results), even if VAT exemption is claimed by the customer. Sorry, but that's VAT law. No VAT is payable by University of Cambridge customers
VAT legislation Once inside the scope of VAT, the VAT law is such that unless something is specifically 'exempted' or 'zero-rated' it will be standard rate. The specific bit of legislation allowing zero-rating (also referred to as medical exemption) for substances provided is in the VAT Act 1994, Sch 8, Item No 10: "The supply to a charity of a substance directly used for synthesis or testing in the course of medical or veterinary research". This does not cover information supplied as results based on analysis of a substance. VAT zero-rate can only apply where PNAC Facility is actually supplying a substance such as peptides. |
