MoReLife
About the MoReLife Research Initiative
Our scientific challenge for the future is to provide complete descriptions of cell signaling pathways that pinpoint targets for intervention. To reach this goal, we take a holistic approach to integrate the molecular and systems levels to encompass a hierarchy of complexity from molecules to intact tissue. The initial focus is on host-pathogen interactions, immune regulation and tissue remodeling, which are areas of wide relevance for healt h and disease. In addition, we define four technology areas that are essential for solving the medical research problems: 
Our aim is to establish a Resource Center to contribute expertise and technology to the research programs and other users. The Resource Center will be open to industry on a commercial basis, providing access to facilities that are unattainable for small/medium sized companies. We are enthusiastically supported by the public health and biotech-pharma business sectors, making us confident that this strategy will generate a new research arena for the benefit of Swedish industry. |
LP3: A Protein-Production Platform at Lund University
LP3 is in operation from February 2012
LP3 is a new Lund University trans-faculty facility for protein expression, production and isolation. The platform is integrated with research training and development of skills in production, purification and experimental analysis of proteins. Establishment of the facility was initiated by the MoReLife network. The facility is in operation from February 2012 with financial support from the Vice Chancellor of Lund University, MoReLife (in turn financed by the Medical faculty), LUDC/EXODIAB, CMPS and the Department of Biology.
LP3 will provide protein overexpression and purification services to life scientists in the region. This will enable more scientists to bring their research to the molecular/structural regime, thus making the coming MAX-IV and ESS developments more accessible to our researchers in the medical/biochemical/biological sphere.
The facility will utilize and add to the outstanding competence and infrastructure available at Lund University, in its Faculties of Medicine, Science, and Engineering together with MAX-lab.
MoReLife hosted a number of open networking symposia during 2010, during which we discussed the need for and requirements on a protein factory. We have conducted a broad survey on future protein needs (below), and a retreat.
The Protein-Production Facility was Awarded 3.4 Million SEK
Out of the 10 MSEK made available by Lund University for research infrastructure, MoReLife was granted 3.4 MSEK for the establishment of a protein-production platform at LU. The decision was made by the vice chancellor on June 16 2011, following the recommendation of the Council for Infrastructure (Infrastrukturrådet). Together with prior investments this enables us to initiate the implementation process of the facility, and recruitment of platform personnel will commence after the summer break.
Survey on Protein-Production Needs
During Dec 2010-Jan 2011, we conducted a survey of the protein needs in the region, encompassing 250 research group leaders. We targeted life scientists who work with proteins, or who might come to work with proteins in the future. The response was overwhelming: over 80 research leaders responded, specifying hundreds of proteins of scientific interest.