Measuring the quantity, structure and activity of biological molecules presents a challenge for life scientists. This presentation will show some of the work that NPL and the bio-metrology community are undertaking to analyse proteins with complex and variable structures.

Determining the total amount of protein is a necessary analytical step, but quantity alone may not fully describe individual structures (isoforms) that are responsible for a biological function. Growth hormone is a protein that has multiple therapeutic applications, and has been selected as a model to investigate structure-activity relationships.

Away from the clinical setting, growth hormone use by athletes and for cosmetic purposes has resulted in increasing amounts of counterfeit product. Strategies to detect product 'fingerprints' may well prove useful to a number of industries and regulatory agencies.

Anna has worked in the Biotechnology group, Analytical Science team having joined NPL in 2006. Since graduating in 1994 with a degree in Biological Sciences, Anna has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry, completing a PhD in Biochemistry in 2001. During this time Anna has focussed on protein chemistry, developing analytical techniques to study proteins of therapeutic interest. Anna currently leads a technical area at NPL which covers biopharmaceutical characterisation and manufacturing.