Lipodisq® Polymer Reagents represent innovative polymers incorporating styrene and maleic acid monomer units. These polymers represent the first in-class range of polymers to form nano-sized lipid-based discoidal particles, making them ideally-suited for the incorporation of membrane proteins. The Lipodisq® technology stands out for its capacity to solubilize widely used lipids, including dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), without the need for additional detergents. Within the scientific literature, these particles are also frequently referred to as SMALPs or Native Nanodiscs and typically exhibit a diameter ranging from 9-10 nm.
For ease of use, all grades of Lipodisq® polymer reagents are available as Poly(styrene-maleic acid) in a pre-hydrolysed form (sodium salt), and are readily soluble in aqueous solution. For researchers preferring to hydrolyse their own Lipodisq® polymer reagents, all grades are also available in the styrene maleic anhydride form.
To maximise membrane protein stability and experimental outcomes, Lipodisq® polymers are available in four defined structures. The ratio of styrene to maleic acid/anhydride is tailored to allow the user to produce Lipodisq® particles within the optimum pH range for their chosen protein of study. Lipodisq® polymers cover an operational pH range of 3.50—10.50 depending on the Styrene:Maleic acid ratio selected:
Adjusting Lipodisq® solutions to the limits of their optimal pH enables Lipodisq® particles to be formed with an increased particle size to accommodate larger membrane protein complexes.
Lipodisq® Grade | Functional pH Range | Mw | MN | Catalogue Reference |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 1:1 Prehydrolysed | 3.50—5.50 | 5,500 | 2,100 | LDQ1:1PHR |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 1:1 | 3.50—5.50 | 5,500 | 2,100 | LDQ1:1 |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 2:1 Prehydrolysed | 5.50—8.00 | 7,500 | 2,700 | LDQ2:1 PHR |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 2:1 | 5.50—8.00 | 7,500 | 2,700 | LDQ2:1 |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 3:1 Prehydrolysed | 6.00—9.00 | 9,500 | 3,050 | LDQ3:1 PHR |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 3:1 | 6.00—9.00 | 9,500 | 3,050 | LDQ3:1 |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 4:1 Prehydrolysed | 8.50—10.50 | 10,500 | 4,500 | LDQ4:1 PHR |
Lipodisq® P(SMA) 4:1 | 8.50—10.50 | 10,500 | 4,500 | LDQ4:1 |
Lipodisq® Polymers are supplied to industrial and academic partners throughout the world. A thriving community exploring the use of Lipodisq® Polymers for membrane and protein research has generated hundreds of published scientific papers in academic journals and continues to drive forward the value and areas of application of Lipodisq® Technology. A series of dedicated conferences are held each year in the EU and US by the enthusiastic members of the SMALP community to advance the understanding of this technology.
The impact of Lipodisq® technology on membrane protein research is growing beyond methodology into transformative breakthroughs . . .
In association with the University of Oxford:
Orwick MC, Judge PJ, Procek J, Lindholm L, Graziadei A, Engel A, Gröbner G, Watts A.
Orwick-Rydmark M, Lovett JE, Graziadei A, Lindholm L, Hicks MR, Watts A.
Bada Juarez JF, Harper AJ, Judge PJ, Tonge SR, Watts A.
Goddard AD, Dijkman PM, Adamson RJ, dos Reis RI, Watts A.
Bada Juarez JF, O’Rourke D, Judge PJ, Liu LC, Hodgkin J, Watts A.
Bada Juarez JF, Muñoz-García JC, Inácio Dos Reis R, Henry A, McMillan D, Kriek M, Wood M, Vandenplas C, Sands Z, Castro L, Taylor R, Watts A.
Torgersen ML, Judge PJ, Bada Juarez JF, Pandya AD, Fusser M, Davies CW, Maciejewska MK, Yin DJ, Maelandsmo GM, Skotland T, Watts A, Sandvig K.
Lavington S, Watts A.
Hoi KK, Bada Juarez JF, Judge PJ, Yen HY, Wu D, Vinals J, Taylor GF, Watts A, Robinson CV.
Contact us for further information or to discuss your Lipodisq® Polymers for membrane protein research project.
To aid your research and access to Lipodisq® Polymers for membrane protein research, Lipodisq® products are also available from our commercial distribution partners below.
