I work in an academic lab and we have talked about using higher quality proteins in our research just to avoid lot variability, but it would involve a cost increase. Are there any other benefits to using GMP proteins in a research setting?

Answer

As you indicate, one of the main reasons for shifting to GMP is to ensure consistency. This comes from all of the extra analytical testing, documentation, and oversite of the manufacturing process. Protein inconsistencies can lead to negative results and missed opportunities, false positives that lead you down an incorrect path, or results that simply can’t be repeated. All are incredibly frustrating to the researcher and, in the long run, can be more expensive than spending a bit more up front. However, cost is always a factor and must be considered. One suggestion I can make, if you haven’t already, is to develop a relationship with your vendor’s sales representative. At R&D Systems, our reps do an excellent job at finding ways for researchers to save. You might find that shifting to GMP is not as expensive as you think.