Mass Spectrometry Proteomics

Proteome analyses (i.e., the detection and characterization of the proteins being produced by a biological system at a given point in time) require high resolution protein separation to provide pure protein species for identification by mass analysis.  Liquid chromatography (high pressure liquid chromatography; HPLC) is currently the method of choice for high resolution separation of proteins and peptides without the size or charge bias inherent in electrophoresis separation procedures.  Mass analysis with the highest accuracy possible, as obtained by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) methods, is needed for accurate identification of proteins based on genome sequence database searches.  To provide flexibility in scientific research project planning, an instrument capable of determining the masses of both peptides and intact small proteins (i.e., 40, 000 D or smaller) is also advantageous.  The Biosciences proteome projects include those that require high-throughput sample analysis (i.e., protein expression quality assurance analyses) as well as low throughput with maximum information output analysis (i.e., complete protein inventory analyses), necessitating the capability to do sample ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for mass determination in some experiments and electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) for others.  In addition to proteome analyses, the Biosciences Division, in collaboration with the Math Computer Science (MCS) division, is interested in developing methods for the analysis of environmental samples, in particular sediment samples, for microbial proteins and peptides.

The laboratory is also associated with the Chicago Biomedical Consortium.  For more information see http://www.chicagobiomedicalconsortium.org.