Proteomics platform for hydrophobic protein and aggregate analysis
CinderBio's HTA-proteases offer a unique proteomics platform for characterizing hydrophobic and membrane proteins. Operating under extreme conditions, these proteases provide rapid, automatable insights into protein aggregates, aiding in neurodegenerative disease research.
Overview
CinderBio has developed an innovative proteomics platform utilizing hyperthermoacidic Archaea (HTA-enzymes) to address the challenges of analyzing hydrophobic and membrane proteins. These HTA-proteases are uniquely capable of cleaving at specific residues (E, L, F), enabling the rapid and routine characterization of proteins that are typically difficult to study. Their ability to operate optimally at high temperatures (80-90°C) and low pH (2-4) makes them exceptionally effective in denaturing and analyzing complex protein aggregates. This capability is particularly valuable for gaining insights into the structure and stability of neurodegenerative protein plaques.
Technical specifications
- Operational conditions: Optimal at 80-90°C and pH 2-4
- Cleavage specificity: Targets specific residues (E, L, F)
- Time efficiency: Capable of digesting samples in as little as 5 minutes without prior manipulation
- Target application: Analysis of hydrophobic and membrane proteins, insoluble proteins like acidified casein, and neurodegenerative plaques
- Platform capabilities: Automatable, high-throughput proteomics screening
Technology readiness level
CinderBio's HTA-proteases have reached a Technology Readiness Level of 4, indicating that the technology has been validated in a laboratory environment. The next steps involve further validation through probing various plaque-containing materials to understand plaque stability and identify disease-related markers under diverse conditions.
About Cinder Biological, Inc.
Cinder Biological, Inc., operating as CinderBio, is a biotechnology research company that develops and manufactures advanced hyperthermoacidic archaeal (HTA) proteases. These enzymes are derived from microbes that thrive in extreme hot and acidic environments. By leveraging these unique biological properties, the company has created a suite of products, such as its Krakatoa and Vesuvius proteases, which function efficiently at high temperatures and low pH levels. These HTA-proteases allow for rapid, single-step protein digestion that replaces traditional, slower, and more complex workflows, such as those relying on trypsin. Their technology enables enhanced proteome coverage and provides orthogonal datasets, making them particularly effective for challenging samples including membrane proteins and nucleoproteins.
These innovative enzymes are used in proteomics, clinical research, and various industrial applications where process efficiency and stability are critical. By eliminating the need for chaotropes and simplifying sample preparation into a rapid process—often under one hour—CinderBio's solutions provide significant time and cost advantages to scientists and industrial partners. The company’s technology has been validated through peer-reviewed research, demonstrating increased unique peptide reads and improved de novo antibody sequencing capabilities. Beyond laboratory research, the company has explored industrial applications, including enzymatic cleaning and sanitation products, and processes for the liberation of sugars from cellulosic materials. Based in San Leandro, California, CinderBio continues to collaborate with the scientific community to integrate its extreme-environment enzymes into novel workflows.
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