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FAQ

General
Why should I choose Tierra Biosciences to synthesize my custom proteins?

Tierra’s Protein Platform makes it easy to order custom proteins. Just submit your sequences and we take care of the rest, delivering purified proteins quickly and at an affordable cost. Let us help you scale your research and innovate faster.

What is cell-free protein expression?

Cell-free protein expression is an approach that enables the production of recombinant proteins using transcription and translation machinery without the cell membrane. This technique allows us to produce proteins otherwise toxic to cells, to have precise control of the synthesis system, and to offer high-throughput adaptability.

What do I do if my question is not answered here?

If you have not found the answer to your question, please contact us.

Product
What cell-free expression system does Tierra offer?

We currently offer two E. coli -based cell-free expression systems, one optimized for enzymes and one optimized for biologics. Need something else? Contact us to see how we can help.

What protein yield does Tierra deliver?

With our current standard offering, we deliver 50 microliters (µl) of purified protein for every sequence you order at the microgram scale and 500 µl at the milligram scale. For well behaved proteins, the microgram scale can deliver up to 350 µg/ml while the milligram scale can deliver up to 2 mg/ml. The protein concentration can vary given expression level variability for different proteins.

What protein sizes can Tierra produce?

Our standard product offering currently allows proteins between 50 to 1000 amino acids. Are your proteins out of this range? Contact us to see how we can help.

Can the proteins I order include functional tags?

Tags and linkers that do not interfere with our manufacturing process can be included in your sequence. Before you place your order, we will screen your sequences and notify you if problematic tags are detected. If your sequence includes a problematic tag, contact us to see if we can help.

Can I have my proteins delivered in a custom buffer?

We currently deliver your proteins in a buffer containing 100 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 150 mM NaCl, and 20% Glycerol. Need a different buffer? Contact us to let us know what you need.

Can I request the addition of additives, such as cofactors, to the expression system of my proteins?

Not with our standard product, but we are working to expand the customizations we offer through our standard platform. Need special additives? Contact us to see how we can help.

Does Tierra guarantee the yield of each protein I order?

On the microgram scale we do not guarantee the synthesis level of the proteins you order. On the milligram scale we guarantee a yield of 0.1 mg; if we cannot hit this yield we will only charge a set-up fee. While we screen your sequences for features known to be challenging in our system, there are many factors that can lower synthesis levels of proteins, many of which are difficult to predict.

What will I receive when I order from the Tierra Protein Platform?

For every protein you order, you will receive:

  • At least one variant of that protein, where the variant is your protein with a few extra amino acids resulting from our production process. While we guarantee delivery of one variant, you may receive more than one.
  • Each variant will come in a tube containing the frozen purified protein.
  • PAGE (either SDS or CE-SDS) visualization data
  • Protein concentration (A280 or Bradford) data
Will the proteins I receive be the exact sequences I ordered?

Our production process involves the use of a cleavable tag, resulting in the presence of extra amino acids on your protein termini, so the proteins you receive will not be the exact sequences you ordered. Instead, these are the two possible sequences you may receive:

The exact sequence(s) delivered to you is specified on the data files of your order.

Why was my protein not delivered?

There are a couple of reasons your protein may not be delivered:

  1. The DNA corresponding to your sequence could not be produced.
  2. The protein did not pass our QC standards.
How are my proteins shipped?

We ship all orders for next-day delivery on dry ice. Contact us if you need alternate shipping arrangements.

How should I store my proteins when I receive them?

Upon receipt, store your purified proteins at -80˚C. When handling frozen proteins, it is best practice to limit the number of freeze-thaw cycles.

Ordering
How do I start an order?

To place an order, simply create an account at proteinplatform.tierrabiosciences.com and start a new order.

How many proteins can I order?

You can order as little as 1 protein to a maximum of 100 proteins in a single order.

How do I get a quote?

When you create an account and start an order, a quote will be generated prior to order submission.

Do I need to provide physical DNA with my order?

You do not need to provide DNA with your order. Simply provide your digital amino acid sequences and Tierra takes care of the rest.

How will I be notified about my order?

We will notify you by email with all information regarding your order.

How long will it take to receive my order?

You can expect to receive your proteins in as little as 3-4 weeks (microgram scale) to 4-5 weeks (milligram scale) from the time you place your order.

How do I track my order?

We will email you a tracking number prior to shipping your order. Once a tracking number is available, it can also be found on the Order History page of your online account.

How do I access my order data?

Login to your account and navigate to Order Details. For every completed order, you will find a link to download your data files.

When will I be charged for my order?

We charge you upon shipment of your order. For orders paid via credit card, you will be charged at the time of shipment. For orders paid via purchase order, the terms are Net 30.

Can I cancel my order?

Orders cannot be cancelled once they are in production. However, if you need to cancel your order within 24 hours after submitting it, please contact us at support@tierrabiosciences.com. Please include your order number and reason for cancelling.