April 12, 2006 4:00 AM PDT
This sketch provides an overview how Cambrios finds proteins. First, it produces billions of genetically distinct viruses (living creatures that grow on E. Coli bacteria) and then exposes them to a metal. If one or two adhere to the metal, they are kept for further study. Scientists at the company then try to isolate the protein, a product of the microorganism?s metabolism. Once the chemical and physical composition of the protein is determined, Cambrios figures out a way to reproduce it in chemistry labs. This way, they and their customers don?t have to worry about keeping generations of the rare viruses alive and happy to keep producing the crucial ingredient.
Photo by Cambrios
