BioRCF | Proteomics

Proteomics comprises the combination of high-throughput and high-sensitivity analytical technologies for the detection and quantification of proteins and peptides in biological systems with the application of sophisticated bioinformatic tools for data mining and analysis. The targeted and/or non-targeted study of protins and small molecules (metabolites) in biological materials (e.g. plasma, urine, tissue, plant and microbial extracts) and the resulting profiles reflect the actual cellular condition and provide useful indicators (biomarkers) of abnormalities/health, consequences of genetic engineering and adaptations to test compounds (e.g.drugs) or environmental factors, as well as a means of discovering new biomolecules (bioprospecting) and monitoring food quality.

Proteomics requires robust experimental design incorporating reliable sampling and the precise capture of thousands of proteins and metabolites from the biological sample of interest. The utilization of a variety of complementary analytical platforms is crucial for identifying and quantifying the large numbers of chemically diverse proteins, primary and secondary metabolites typically found in biological samples. Finally, it requires appropriate informatics for data extraction, mining and interpretation of the obtained information.

The most commonly used platforms for the detection and measurement of metabolites involves the use of gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), or capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Compounds may also be measured directly without chromatographic separation by, for example, fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The latest trend involves Imaging MS to enable the investigation of the spatial distribution of metabolites.

Anita Giban

What are the services offered?

We offer a comprehensive and customised platform that includes GC-MS, LC-MS, Imaging MS and NMR as well as a data analysis and interpretation service. We are committed to developing the “omics” incorporating emerging trends in partnership with national and international researchers ensuring we provide a state of the art service and are in a position to offer this to researchers both in academic and industry.  The capability delivers:

• Customized experimental design for the analysis of targeted or non-targeted metabolites
• bio-prospecting of metabolites from plant, animal and microbial systems
• Imaging MS
• comparison of genotype/SNP patterns with metabolite profiles
• advanced informatics support for metabolomic data analysis
• bioinformatics approaches to integrate systems metabolite profiling with corresponding genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data
• skills training in the standardization and application of metabolomics technologies
• provide access to a well developed visitors/research hotel infrastructure to cater for external users
• promoting the uptake of the technology through workshops and conferences, and
• the development of intellectual property with commercial potential.

Location and hours of operation

• The facility is opened 24-7 for internal users assuming you have appropriate training on instrument.
• For users from other departments or external users, access is restricted to normal business hours. 
• The facility is located in Buiding 45, the McIntosh building on the University of AsiaPac main campus.