Differential scanning calorimetry to quantify the stability of protein cages

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is an experimental technique through which the differences in amount of heat required to maintain equal temperature between a sample and a reference cell are measured at various temperatures. The quantified heat relates to the differences in apparent heat capacity of the analytes. The data from DSC studies will thereby provide direct information about the energetics of thermally induced processes in the sample. Here we present a detailed protocol to quantify the thermostability of protein cage, bacterioferritin (BFR), using differential scanning calorimetry.