Gene-to-Structure

Maximize Cryo-EM Success with Expert Protein Consultancy
Achieve high-resolution protein structures through cryo-EM with our specialized Gene-to-Structure consulting.
Obtaining a high resolution structure is complicated by the use of protein reagents that suffer from aggregation or incompatible buffers, ligands without direct binding Kd’s, or proteins with large inter- or intra- domain flexibility.
Our protein consultancy team can help you navigate these obstacles by utilizing decades of experience in protein expression and purification.
We will help you identify a CRO proficient in your target class, streamline communication channels, expedite project timelines, and reach crucial milestones.
Partner with NIS to enhance your gene-to-structure workflow and maximize your success in obtaining high-resolution protein structures with cryo-EM.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Gene-to-Structure Workflow with Expert Guidance.
Dr. Tara Davis, our Head of Protein Sciences, brings a wealth of experience as a structural biologist and protein biochemist/biophysicist. With a proven track record in building and managing gene-to-structure pipelines, Dr. Davis excels in tackling challenging targets within both industry and academia. Driven by a passion for collaboration, Dr. Davis has successfully worked with external partners and Contract Research Organizations (CROs), delivering exceptional results.
Dr. Davis offers cutting-edge solutions for your project by staying at the forefront of advancements in cryo-EM, and specializes in determining liganded complexes. By leveraging her extensive experience with soluble and integral membrane proteins, she provides critical guidance to optimize your protein yield and quality.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Gene-to-Structure Workflow with Expert Guidance.
Dr. Tara Davis, our Head of Protein Sciences, brings a wealth of experience as a structural biologist and protein biochemist/biophysicist. With a proven track record in building and managing gene-to-structure pipelines, Dr. Davis excels in tackling challenging targets within both industry and academia. Driven by a passion for collaboration, Dr. Davis has successfully worked with external partners and Contract Research Organizations (CROs), delivering exceptional results.
Dr. Davis offers cutting-edge solutions for your project by staying at the forefront of advancements in cryo-EM, and specializes in determining liganded complexes. By leveraging her extensive experience with soluble and integral membrane proteins, she provides critical guidance to optimize your protein yield and quality.
Personalized Support for Successful Protein Design and Production.
We understand the importance of personalized solutions tailored to your specific protein target and project goals. Our collaboration begins with a meeting with our protein consultancy team, where we will review your protein target and discuss your project and goals. You will receive a detailed, personalized report that encompasses strategies for success, a literature review, construct designs, milestones for each stage of work, and recommendations for partnering with a Contract Research Organization (CRO).
Your personalized proposal consists of multiple components. A literature review provides insights from the latest papers and publications, guiding the design of structurally appropriate reagents based on peer-reviewed experience. The report addresses potential roadblocks and offers solutions, including approaches to enhance the mass of proteins too small for cryo-EM structure determination. We combine personal expertise and experience with the literature review to develop tailored strategies for construct design, including cell line and purification tag recommendations. Risk mitigation is ensured through in silico designs validated in AlphaFold.
We assist in selecting a CRO and facilitate introductions between teams, ensuring a productive collaboration. We engage with the scientific teams at the CRO to discuss the proposal and ensure reasonable time and cost estimates for your project.
For ongoing projects, we offer continuing consultancy & project management, overseeing assay development, attending meetings with your selected CRO, troubleshooting technical issues, and facilitating reagent transfers between CROs. Our protein consultancy team works closely with your NIS project manager to ensure a seamless cryo-EM structure determination experience.
From project kickoff to the delivery of protein to NIS, our protein consulting process typically takes 3-4 months for straightforward projects, ensuring efficiency and timely results.
Partner with NanoImaging Services to harness the full potential of your gene-to-structure workflow.

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Gene-to-Structure Workflow with Expert Guidance.
Dr. Tara Davis, our Head of Protein Sciences, brings a wealth of experience as a structural biologist and protein biochemist/biophysicist. With a proven track record in building and managing gene-to-structure pipelines, Dr. Davis excels in tackling challenging targets within both industry and academia. Driven by a passion for collaboration, Dr. Davis has successfully worked with external partners and Contract Research Organizations (CROs), delivering exceptional results.
Dr. Davis offers cutting-edge solutions for your project by staying at the forefront of advancements in cryo-EM, and specializes in determining liganded complexes. By leveraging her extensive experience with soluble and integral membrane proteins, she provides critical guidance to optimize your protein yield and quality.
Personalized Support for Successful Protein Design and Production.
We understand the importance of personalized solutions tailored to your specific protein target and project goals. Our collaboration begins with a meeting with our protein consultancy team, where we will review your protein target and discuss your project and goals. You will receive a detailed, personalized report that encompasses strategies for success, a literature review, construct designs, milestones for each stage of work, and recommendations for partnering with a Contract Research Organization (CRO).
Your personalized proposal consists of multiple components. A literature review provides insights from the latest papers and publications, guiding the design of structurally appropriate reagents based on peer-reviewed experience. The report addresses potential roadblocks and offers solutions, including approaches to enhance the mass of proteins too small for cryo-EM structure determination. We combine personal expertise and experience with the literature review to develop tailored strategies for construct design, including cell line and purification tag recommendations. Risk mitigation is ensured through in silico designs validated in AlphaFold.
We assist in selecting a CRO and facilitate introductions between teams, ensuring a productive collaboration. We engage with the scientific teams at the CRO to discuss the proposal and ensure reasonable time and cost estimates for your project.
For ongoing projects, we offer continuing consultancy & project management, overseeing assay development, attending meetings with your selected CRO, troubleshooting technical issues, and facilitating reagent transfers between CROs. Our protein consultancy team works closely with your NIS project manager to ensure a seamless cryo-EM structure determination experience.
From project kickoff to the delivery of protein to NIS, our protein consulting process typically takes 3-4 months for straightforward projects, ensuring efficiency and timely results.
Partner with NanoImaging Services to harness the full potential of your gene-to-structure workflow.

NIS has experience in numerous target classes, including:
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore how our experts can help you.
What are your qualifications to offer expert protein consultancy?
Dr. Tara Davis has over 15 years of experience in structural biology and protein expression and purification, and has led numerous teams in both academia and industry.
What types of proteins can you assist in designing?
Our consultancy most commonly focuses on multi-component complexes and integral membrane proteins, including GPCRs, transporters, and ion channels. Dr. Davis has over 20 years experience with soluble and integral membrane proteins.
What is your success rate of protein produced to high resolution cryo-EM imaging?
Dr. Davis has successfully helped design and produce 20 proteins in the last 18 months. Only one protein could not be produced in sufficient quantities for analysis by cryo-EM.
What is the timeline for your gene-to-structure workflow?
From your initial consultation to delivery of protein to NIS, our protein consultancy process lasts 3-4 months for a straightforward project. Depending on the complexity of your project, the consultancy team will work with you for as long as it takes to design, produce, characterize, and transfer your protein back to NIS for cryo-EM imaging.
Do you have preferred protein production CROs?
Our team has worked extensively with protein production CROs in the US, United Kingdom, and China. We will work with you to select the most suitable CRO for your project, depending on your project timelines and protein class. We can also work with your preferred vendor if you prefer.
What are the next steps after my protein is produced?
Many of our clients choose to begin with a Feasibility Assessment, which provides a comprehensive characterization of sample quality, including negative stain screening and 2D classification, of your sample’s suitability for progression to high-resolution data collection. Once you’ve completed this Feasibility Assessment, you can move to high resolution 3D reconstruction.
Is my confidentiality and IP protected when I work with NIS?
Absolutely. NIS takes our client’s confidentiality seriously, and will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Consultancy Agreement prior to beginning work in order to protect your confidential information.
