A team of local researchers has successfully separated cell membrane proteins from cells by using a compound called "cucurbituril."

The team led by Kim Ki-moon from Department of Chemistry at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) says it has proved that the synthetic receptor-ligand pair cucurbituril is a more efficient and useful alternative to streptavidin-biotin for membrane separation and extraction.

Membrane proteomics is growing popular in biotechnology as it enables diagnosis and treatment with few side effects.

The team's findings appeared in the latest online edition of Nature Chemistry.