Sino Biological, Inc. (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 301047.SZ) has announced that its gene synthesis and cell-free protein expression workflow was used in a recent study by Tencent AI for Life Sciences Lab published in Nature Communications, enabling rapid experimental validation of AI-designed proteins with improved activity, stability, and multifunctionality.
Artificial intelligence has significantly accelerated protein amino acid sequence design, however, translating these computational designs into functional proteins remains a key challenge in protein engineering. Protein activity, stability, folding, and expression are influenced by complex structural and biochemical factors, often leading to discrepancies between in silico predictions and experimental outcomes. To address this gap, the study introduced an Ontology Reinforcement Iteration (ORI) framework, integrating protein ontology with reinforcement learning from wet-lab feedback. Experimental data, including protein expression levels and functional activity, were continuously fed back into the model enabling iterative optimization of protein sequences and improved design accuracy.
The researchers subsequently utilized Sino Biological’s XPressMAX™ Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Kit to enable rapid protein expression and functional screening. Protein-coding sequences cloned into the kit’s expression vector and added to the proprietary cell-free reaction system supported rapid design–build–test cycles. Using this workflow, the team engineered a lysozyme with over 100-fold higher activity than the natural enzyme, developed a thermostable chitinase retaining activity at 85°C, and successfully expressed bifunctional enzymes with improved performance compared with naturally occurring multifunctional enzymes.
The XPressMAX Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Kit features ultra-fast synthesis with protein expression completed in as little as 3 hours, high screening efficiency optimized for VHH, scFv, and miniproteins, flexible template support compatible with plasmid and linear DNA templates, disulfide bond friendly capability for complex disulfide-bonded proteins without additional enhancers, cost-effective performance reducing operational time and cost, and scalable supply suitable for high-throughput and industrial applications.
For business and technology leaders, this integration of AI-driven design with rapid experimental validation represents a significant advancement in protein engineering. The ability to quickly iterate between computational predictions and wet-lab results can drastically reduce the time and cost of developing novel enzymes and therapeutic proteins. This has implications for industries ranging from biopharmaceuticals to industrial biotechnology, where customized proteins with enhanced properties are in high demand. The study demonstrates a practical pathway to close the gap between AI design and functional realization, potentially accelerating the development of more effective drugs, greener industrial processes, and sustainable materials.
Sino Biological is an international reagent supplier and CRO service provider specializing in recombinant protein production and antibody development. With the US-based Center for Bioprocessing (C4B) in Houston and SignalChem Biotech (part of Sino Biological) in Canada, Sino Biological delivers tailored, localized solutions to meet diverse research needs worldwide. Serving researchers in over 90 countries, the company maintains a stringent quality management system across all products.
