R&D Facilities at ABPL

 

ABPL has constructed and equipped 18,000 square feet, DSIR approved state-of-the-art Molecular and Cellular Biology R&D Labs in Mumbai.

Microbiology & Molecular Biology: These labs are used for preparation of DNA, RNA and plasmids, banking of plasmids in E. coli bacteria, and analysis of DNA by restriction enzyme mapping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. The major equipment here is as follows: 

·         Biocontainment hood

·         Incubators

·         Bench-top refrigerated centrifuges and microfuges

·         PCR Thermocyclers

·         Electrophoresis systems

·         Gel documentation system (for electronic capture and recording of data)

 

Fermentation and Protein Purification: These labs are used for yeast fermentation and application of VFF2 technology to produce recombinant bio-therapeutic proteins such as human insulin, human growth hormone, G-CSF, etc. The major equipment here is as follows:

·         Biocontainment hood

·         Incubators

·         Five-liter Fermentors

·         Chiller and compressor units

·         Bench-top refrigerated centrifuges and microfuges

·         Floor model centrifuges

·         PCR Thermocyclers

·         Electrophoresis systems

·         HPLC

·         Chromatography systems (Radial and Axial)

 

Gene Therapy and RCL Assay: These labs are used for discovery, production and analysis of lentiviral-based gene therapy products using MSP36. Since lenti-viruses can be pathogenic, the gene therapy lab has been specially designed to provide Level II containment with an independent HVAC system, negative pressure and burn-out unit. The major equipment here is as follows:

·         Biocontainment hoods

·         CO2 Incubators

·         Microscope

·         Two-way autoclave for biohazard waste decontamination

                  ·      Ultra-centrifuge 

 

Ancillary Labs: They include labs for Media Preparation, Analytical and Cell Culture. The major equipment here is as follows:

·         Water purification system

·         Autoclaves

·         Freezers: -80oC and -20oC

·         UV/VIS Spectrophotometer

·         ELISA Reader

·         Biocontainment hoods

                  ·    CO2 Incubators

 

Pilot Plant for Recombinant Proteins (being equipped): This has been built to be “almost” GMP specifications, incorporating separate HVAC systems, uni-directional flow of personnel, labs for QC/QA, Media Prep Room, and various suites for Fermentation, Clarification and Downstream. The major equipment here are as follows:

·         10- and 30-liter Fermentors

                  ·     Autoclaves

                                    ·          Boiler (steam generation), chiller and compressor unit

                  ·          Floor model centrifuges

                  ·         Tangential flow filtration systems

                                    ·          Low pressure and High Performance Chromatography systems

                  ·           Analytical lab instrumentation 

 

ABPL’s R&D Capabilities for Biopharmaceutical Development

 

  • Molecular Biology
    • DNA cloning and expression in bacterial, yeast and mammalian cell systems
  • Mammalian Cell Culture, Maintenance and Cell Banking
  • Cell-based functional assays
    • Cell proliferation
    • Tumour Colony Formation
    • Cell invasion and tumour metastasis
  • Non-cell-based assays
    • Protein and DNA determinations
    • SDS-PAGE (Proteins) and Agarose Gel (DNA) Electrophoresis
    • PCR and Restriction Enzyme Analysis
    • Immunoassays (ELISA, Western Blot, Dot Blot)
    • Zymography
  • Fermentation for Recombinant DNA-Expressed Proteins
    • Up to five litre-scale for microbial cells
    • Shake flask-scale for mammalian cells
  • Down-Stream Purification of Recombinant DNA-Expressed Proteins
    • Lab Scale (Up to one litre-scale)
    • Axial and Radial Chromatography Systems