News & Events
Future Health Expo
March 2024
The RPF team participated as an exhibitor at the Future Health Expo 2024 held by UNSW in the Roundhouse. The event saw a whopping 800 total participants, with various backgrounds such as entrepreneurs, investors, policy makers, and members of the research community, non-profit organisation and healthcare industry. 76 different exhibitors presented topics under the thematic umbrella of Health Systems, Healthcare Technology, Next Generation Medicine and Therapeutic Innovations. It was great to catch up with old friends as well as create new connections. For those who missed it, keep an eye on the RPF LinkedIn page to know find out where you can meet us at our next networking event!
ÄKTA avant and ÄKTA flux Arrival
November 2023
More new equipment! This time we've added on the ÄKTA avant and the ÄKTA flux s to the RPF lineup.
The ÄKTA avant represents a remarkable advance in preparative protein purification chromatography systems. It is purpose-built to facilitate the swift and dependable development of methods and processes that can be seamlessly scaled. The ÄKTA avant 150, in particular, is engineered to excel in the realm of scaling up and accommodating larger columns, offering a platform for precise fine-tuning and the rigorous testing of optimized processes before transitioning to the pilot scale.
The ÄKTA flux is a semi-automated tangential flow filtration/cross flow filtration system that would greatly benefit concentration, diafiltration, cell harvest, and clarification processes here in RPF. With it's exceptionally low working and hold-up volumes, this system is designed to seamlessly adapt to ultrafiltration and microfiltration applications.Specifically, we have the ÄKTA flux s which is designed for small scale research and filter screenings and is well-suited for use in protein purification workflows as a complement to our ÄKTA chromatography systems.
Contact us if you would like to discuss the possibility of using them in the near future!
BioProcessing Network Conference
October 2023
What a fantastic occasion it has been – yet another year, another triumphant conference! The BioProcessing Network (BPN) Conference took center stage this year at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, setting the scene for two and a half days filled to the brim with valuable insights. With an impressive display of 23 posters, 37 presenters, and an overwhelming turnout of over 250 participants, this marked the grandest BPN Annual Conference to date, truly showcasing the remarkable dedication of the BPN members over the past year.
The breadth of presentations was astounding, covering an array of riveting topics ranging from cell & gene therapy, precision fermentation, process development, to the frontier of AI & digital transformation. Congratulations to Jaslene Anne Francis and Nisal Wanasingha, two bright students proudly sponsored by RPF. Their contributions to the conference were truly remarkable, with Jaslene even securing the Best Poster Prize!
RPF proudly stands as a member of the BioProcessing Network and eagerly anticipates the ongoing contributions from the vibrant bioprocessing community. A big shoutout to our very own Anton Maraldo (BPN IT Support Graphic Designer) and Hélène Lebhar (BPN Vice president), who are proud members of the BPN committee. Their dedication helped make this conference a remarkable success. Until we meet again next year for another wonderful gathering!
Trade Expo at the Scientia Building, UNSW
March 2023
After a three-year wait, the Recombinant Products Facility returns to the UNSW Laboratory Research and Services Expo! With over 20 external supplier stalls and UNSW Services booths, the Expo provided a treasure trove of laboratory innovations and services. Staff and students alike had the chance to immerse themselves in hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays, getting up close and personal with the latest laboratory technology, consumables, and safety products. It was a golden opportunity to discover products that could significantly streamline their research. The Expo was an exhilarating hub of innovation, networking, and discovery, offering a day of exploration and engagement that exceeded everyone's expectations and we were glad to reconnect with familiar faces from past Expo events.
Biostat® B Twin bioreactors Arrival
December 2022
A new bioreactor has been added to the Recombinant Products Facility list of assets. The Biostat® B twin with it's active working capacity of 15 L total comes with massive upgrades and new adaptations. Manual calculation and setting up of substrate feeds are a thing of a past. With this, fed-batch systems are much simpler, and we can run up to 30 L expression fermentations at a time. Contact the RPF at any time to explore your options!
Refeyn TwoMP Arrival
November 2022
A Mass photometer has arrived in the labs on level 3! This instrument can accurately measure the mass of single molecules in solution, in their native state and without the need for labels. This approach opens up new possibilities for bioanalytics and research into the functions of biomolecules, with the added benefit of a small sample size
For more information about this instrument see the video below and feel free to contact RPF staff to access it.
How does Mass Photometry work?
The Recombinant Products Facility / MWAC are hosting the BioProcessing Network conference!
October 2022
The BioProcessing Network conference was held in Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf after 3 years. It was an informative two and a half days, with as many as 30 presenters, 250 participants and many many posters showcasing the hard work members of the BioProcessing Network had put in over the past 2.5 years in the largest ever BPN Annual Conference to date.
Kudos to everybody for sticking it out, RPF is a proud member of the BioProcessing Network and look forward to the contributions by the bioprocessing community. See you next year!
The Recombinant Products Facility / MWAC are hosting a BioProcessing Network event!
August 2022
What a great turn out! The BioProcessing Network has changed so much in the last few years! The Recombinant Products Facility is proud to support the BioProcessing Community!
Thanks to all the attendees who joined us for sharing drinks and nibbles and followed us in the lab for a tour! We hope you had as much fun as we had!
A very special visitor
August 2022
Today we were honoured and grateful to welcome the Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP to the Recombinant Products Facility! It was an amazing and humbling experience to have the opportunity to chat with him about fermentation and protein purification!
ISO 9001 accreditation
December 2021
What a great way to finish the year! We have just received our ISO 9001 accreditation certificate for the Recombinant Products Facility.
It has been a huge team effort and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve during such a challenging year.
New AKTA chromatography systems
January 2021
Two new AKTA chromatography systems have been installed at RPF on level 3: one AKTA Go and one AKTA Start. The AKTA Go has the newly launched F-9T fraction collector, capable of collecting purified fractions into deep well plates, microplates and small tubes. It is the first of its kind to be purchased and installed in Australia. The AKTA Start is a great addition to the lab as it is compact and easy to use, ideally suited to new users at the RPF.
The RPF has now 6 AKTAs to support your research:1 AKTA purifier, 1 AKTA explorer, 2 AKTA start, 1 AKTA Go and 1 AKTA Pure.
Cell Disruptor
February 2020
The newly purchased Cell Disruptor (Constant Systems LTD) is operational and located in the labs on level 3. The machine is used to lyse cells and is capable of processing many sample types such as bacteria, yeast and algae. A video of how it works can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bqcy3ExKeg&feature=youtu.be
Prometheus NT.48 Arrival
December 2019
The Prometheus instrument has arrived in the labs on level 3. This instrument can be used to determine the stability of proteins, by measuring thermo-unfolding, refolding, chemical denaturing and aggregation all in one system. This allows researchers to pick the ideal conditions for storage, maximizing protein stability and functionality.
For more information about this instrument see the video below and feel free to contact RPF staff to access it.
Trade Expo at The Mathews Pavilion, UNSW
November 21st, 2019 10am-1pm.
The Recombinant Products Facility attended the Trade Expo for a second time this year. The Trade Expo is a triannual event which features over 20 booths from UNSW services and external companies. It was a great opportunity for RPF staff to meet new UNSW staff and students who are interested in using the facility and for those needing assistance with their work. We were happy to see lots of familiar faces from our first attendance at the Trade Expo earlier this year and welcome the positive response from the UNSW community. Staff and students attending the Expo also enjoyed the catering, give ways, prize draws and free hot beverages available to participants.
Protein Techniques Workshop
May 2nd, 2019
Berg Family Foundation Seminar Room, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, Kensington
The Protein Techniques Workshop was co-hosted by our respective UNSW Network labs; The Recombinant Products Facility and the Molecular Surface Interaction Lab (link) in May 2019. Many staff and students at UNSW had the opportunity to learn about the techniques used to make and characterise proteins as well as how to utilise the great support and infrastructure available at UNSW. Topics discussed on the day included:
- New methods in gene cloning – Dr Daniel Winter
- Insect cell expression for membrane proteins – Dr Robert Healey
- High throughput clone generation and characterisation – Dr Dominic Glover
- Purification: chromatography basics and optimisation principles with case studies – Helene Lebhar
- Molecular Surface Interaction Lab - A/Prof Megan Lord
- CryoEM; basic principles, access and skills - Dr Juanfang Ruan
- Protein mass spectrometry and the BMSF - A/Prof Mark Raftery
This event was sponsored by GE Healthcare, Millennium Science and UNSW Research Infrastructure After the workshop, participants enjoyed the sponsor provided catering and were able to chat with workshop speakers.
RPF is relocating to D26
May, 2019
At UNSW, The RPF has moved from the Samuel’s building to the recently completed Biosciences Building, D26. Altogether, almost 160 crates of RPF equipment and chemicals were transported and unpacked in the brand-new facilities. Located on level 3 of D26, RPF has dedicated areas for Chromatography, Microbial work including fermentation, Molecular Biology, Tissue Culture, Autoclaving and various Instruments for protein characterisation. The Recombinant Products Facility is now located alongside the Structural Biology Facility providing a seamless service to further characterise proteins from researchers within the university and industry. These world class facilities in the Biosciences building have improved the cohesiveness of the lab and provide users with more than 100m2 of OGTR PC2 Lab Space. Feel free to contact RPF staff for a tour of our facilities!
