A clear introduction to a foundational tool in protein research and development.
Protein quantification is the process of determining the concentration of proteins in a sample. While the concept is simple, it’s essential across a wide range of scientific and biotechnological workflows — from early-stage research to therapeutic development and biomanufacturing. Whether you’re analysing cell lysates, monitoring expression yields, or preparing samples for downstream analysis, knowing how much protein you have — and how reliably you can measure it — is a critical first step.
Why it matters
Accurate protein quantification helps scientists:
- Monitor protein expression in upstream workflows
- Optimise purification steps in downstream processing
- Compare batches or conditions quantitatively
- Normalise input across analytical assays
- Detect degradation or loss of activity over time
Getting this step right improves consistency and confidence throughout the experimental or production process.
How it’s done
Protein quantification can be achieved in several ways, each with its own advantages depending on the sample type and application. Some of the most widely used techniques include:
- Colorimetric assays like Bradford and BCA, which rely on dye binding and optical absorbance
- Immunoassays such as ELISA, which use antibodies to detect specific proteins
- Surface-based methods like SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance), often used for interaction studies
- Electrochemical detection, such as Redox Electrochemical Detection (RED) — the approach used by Amperia™
RED measures electrochemical signals generated by proteins interacting with a functionalised sensor surface. The resulting signal reflects the amount of protein bound and can be quantified without relying on optical components or multi-step detection cascades. This makes RED particularly attractive for fast, scalable, and automation-friendly workflows, especially when simplicity, reproducibility, and turnaround time are priorities.