Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Food protein-derived peptides remain a critical source of information for the discovery of fundamental scientific knowledge on relationships between the structure and function of bioactive agents. This is because of the almost non-exhaustive possible combinations of the 20 naturally-occurring amino acids within the context of peptide chain length (2-20 residues). However, due to the similarity in peptide size and chain length, the isolation, purification, functional characterization, and in vivo testing of bioactive peptides require quantitative analysis using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. At the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, the 10-yr old preparative HPLC (Prep-HPLC) system available for my NSERC peptide Discovery research will no longer be serviceable after July 2018. This is because the manufacturer has discontinued the model and given us notice that manufacture of critical parts needed for regular operation has been discontinued. Taking into consideration the instrument's age, it is normal for us to perform critical maintenance and parts replacements every 6-8 months but this will no longer be available by August 2018. Thus, a breakdown of the instrument will effectively end its use and leave my research program without a system suitable for bio-assay guided quantitative purification of peptides, which is the cornerstone of my NSERC Discovery research program. There is no other Prep-HPLC system available at the Fort Garry campus or the medical campus of the University of Manitoba. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is purchase a new Prep-HPLC system that will enable my Discovery program to continue innovative characterization of the structure-function properties of food protein-derived peptides. The Prep-HPLC provides the most rapid and cost-effective means of separating and purifying biological molecules in quantities that are large enough to permit testing in multiple in vitro assays and animal disease models. This is because chronic animal feeding experiments are the most suitable for determining the ability of bioactive compounds to act on a long-term basis in preventing or reducing the pathological intensity of diseases. The Prep-HPLC is also critical to training of Highly Qualified Personnel that includes one postdoctoral fellow and 6 graduate students because it enables provision of fractions in quantities that are required for high quality thesis work and timely graduation. Technology developed with the instrument will facilitate value-added utilization of Canadian-grown crops or livestock with significant returns to the Canadian economy. The instrument will be used to facilitate interdisciplinary training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate students in the areas of food science and life sciences related to preventive bioactive agents for homeostasis maintenance.