Engenes

enGenes Biotech – accelerating technologies

enGenes develops customized solutions for the production of recombinant proteins in microbial expression systems by combining next-generation genetic engineering with a broad expertise in bioprocess engineering. Based on a strong understanding for the requirements of the biotech industry and extensive knowledge and method portfolio, enGenes delivers improved host cell lines, plasmid expression vectors and optimized production processes to maximize bio-process efficacy.

Our customized project plans also responds to individual documentation requirements to support an easy transfer to the facilities and quality management system of the client. enGenes was founded by internationally recognized scientists in the field of microbial-based protein expression with an extensive track-record of scientific publications, patents and a strong understanding for the requirements of the biotech industry from a long history of international cooperation.
Juergen Mairhofer, CEO
Jens Pontiller, COO
Gerald Striedner
Juergen Mairhofer, CEO
Juergen co-founded enGenes Biotech after working as a Research Associate at the intersection of genetic and bioprocess engineering at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria.Prior to this, he held a PostDoc position at the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB GmbH.), working in the research field “Microbial Cell Design” were he was involved in the sequencing and engineering of different host strains for the production of recombinant proteins. He has authored several peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters and received trainings from the University of Iceland and the University of Bielefeld. Juergen holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Reingard Grabherr
Gottfried Himmler
Florian Krammer
Reingard Grabherr
Prof. Reingard Grabherr is Associate Professor for Applied Virology at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. Prof. Grabherr is co-author of more than 65 scientific publications and book chapters and is a renowned scientist in the fields of vaccine technology, microbial protein expression, expression vector design and insect cell culture. She was recently awarded austrians highest remunerated national innovation prize.

Optimizing protein expression in Escherichia coli

enGenes offers a modular system of customer services for gene expression and protein production in Escherichia coli. Our service, focused on the expression of difficult-to-express proteins, is divided into a series of steps which can be performed either individually or in combination – so you can decide which of the steps you actually need. These services are designed to adequately cover all specific demands along the line from gene to protein. Along with the regular project updates, you will receive progress reports and detailed documentation, in compliance with your quality system, at the end of each service step.

The following service options on the way to your own protein are:

Service A: Cloning / Vector optimization
Service B: Generation of expression strain / Host cell engineering
Service C: Feasability studies for small scale production
Service D: Lab scale fermentations / Bioprocess optimization
Service E: Establishing of the purification protocol / Final purification
Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS)

Many mammalian proteins are not easily expressed in Escherichia coli in soluble form. Therefore, we offer protein expression using the Baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) as a complementary service for the production of soluble and functional mammalian proteins. BEVS is universally recognized as a powerful and versatile system for production of high quality proteins. We offer protein expression using the following insect cell lines are:

Sf9

High Five

Tnao38

The following service options on the way to your own protein are:

Service A: Transfection and selection for recombinant baculovirus
Service B: Amplification of high-titer virus stock
Service C: Small-scale time course expression test
Service D: Large-scale expression and purification of rec. protein
Service E: Establishing of the purification protocol / Final purification

enGenes is developing IP in the following research fields

• IP on a growth-decoupled microbial protein production system
• IP on a microbial screenings system for the screening of high-producer clones
• IP on improved plasmid vector expression systems
• IP on antibiotic resistance-free plasmid selection for the production of recombinant proteins

If you are interested in any of these technologies do not hesitate to contact us and we will provide you with more detailed information.
Publications
Book Chapters
Publications
Scientific publications

Mairhofer J.*, Wittwer A., Cserjan-Puschmann M., Striedner G.: Preventing T7 RNA polymerase read‐through transcription – a synthetic termination signal capable of improving bioprocess stability. ACS Synth Biol 2014, Epub ahead of print.

Oliveira P.H. and Mairhofer J.: Marker-free plasmids for biotechnological applications - implications and perspectives. Trends Biotechnol 2013, 31(9):539-47.

Jungreuthmayer C., Sonnleitner M., Striedner G., Mairhofer J., Zanghellini J.: Designing an optimally ethanol producing E. coli strain using constraint minimal cut sets. Proceedings of EUSIPCO 2013.

Marisch M., Bayer K., Scharl T., Mairhofer J., Krempl P., Hummel K., Razzazi-Fazeli E., Striedner G.: A comparative analysis of industrial Escherichia coli K-12 and B strains in high-glucose batch cultivations on process-, transcriptome- and proteome level. PLOS one 2013.

Mairhofer J., Scharl T., Marisch K., Cserjan-Puschmann M., Striedner G.: Comparative transcription profiling and in-depth characterization of plasmid-based and plasmid-free Escherichia coli expression systems under production conditions. Applied Environ Microbiol 2013, 79(12):3802-12.

Krempl P., Mairhofer J., Striedner G., Thallinger G.: A Sequence Comparison and Gene Expression Data Integration Add-on for the Pathway Tools Software. Bioinformatics 2012, Epub ahead of print.

Ribeiro S., Mairhofer J.*, Madeira C., Diogo M., Lobato da Silva C., Monteiro G., Grabherr R., Cabral J.: Plasmid DNA size does affect non-viral gene delivery efficiency in stem cells. Cell Reprogram 2012, 14(2):130-7.

Mairhofer J., Cserjan-Puschmann M., Striedner G., Nöbauer K., Razzazi-Fazeli E., Grabherr R.: Marker-free plasmids for gene therapeutic applications-Lack of antibiotic resistance gene substantially improves the manufacturing process. J Biotechnol 2010.

Mairhofer J., Roppert K., Ertl P.: Microfluidic Systems for Pathogen Sensing: A Review. Sensors 2009, 9, 4804-4823.

Mairhofer J., Grabherr R.: Rational vector design for efficient non-viral gene delivery: Challenges facing the use of plasmid DNA. Mol Biotech 2008, 39(2):97-104.

Pontiller J., Gross S., Thaisuchat H., Hesse F., Ernst W.: Identification of CHO endogenous promoter elements based on a genomic library approach. Mol Biotechnol. 2008 Jun;39(2):135-9.

Mairhofer J., Pfaffenzeller I., Merz D., Grabherr R.: A novel antibiotic free plasmid selection system: Advances in safe and efficient DNA therapy. Biotechnol J 2008,3:83-89.

Pfaffenzeller I., Mairhofer J., Striedner G., Bayer K., Grabherr R.: Using ColE1-derived RNAI for supression of a bacterially encoded gene: Implication for a novel plasmid addiction system. Biotechnol J 2006, 1:675-681.

Partnering with enGenes
Our technologies could be beneficial for your company.

We actively collaborate with other companies in applying our technologies to their needs, and are always interested in additional discussions. We offer partners access to cutting edge, unique technology that typically complements their in-house strengths and capabilities. Our technologies allow partners to:

Manufacture existing products in better ways – better meaning higher performance, lower cost, higher purity or some combination of all of them
Create new products – our technology allows the creation and manufacture of difficult-to-express proteins (e.g. VLPs, antibodies, enzymes, etc.)
Meet regulatory requirments – e.g. by offering technologies that avoid the usage of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes

We are flexible in the form such partnerships can take. Our overall guidelines will always be to ensure that:

There is a good mutual understanding of both the commercial potential, and the technical risks involved, as well as a shared desire for success
There is sufficient resourcing to deploy our technology on the areas of interest to our partner
There is participation for enGenes Biotech in the success of the products that result
There is no conflict of interest between the work we do for any two partners

For more information please contact us.

enGenes Biotech GmbH

Mooslackengasse 17
A-1190 Vienna

T +43 1 93 46 707-0

FN 411948g, HG Wien,
UID/VAT: ATU68581215

office@engenes.cc
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