Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

In the last several years proteomics methods have become a vital component of biochemical and biological research, having made possible the identification and characterization of individual proteins and the identification of hundreds to thousands of proteins in high-throughput proteomics experiments. One of the key research methods in this field is 2D gel electrophoresis, which separates a complex mixture of proteins into isolated protein spots on a gel, which may then be excised from the gel and identified by mass spectrometry. This system will permit rapid and precise automated excision of protein spots from a 2D gel with minimal contamination from outside sources, increasing the accuracy and throughput of proteomics experiments. Along with the existing 2D differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry capability at the University of Waterloo, this system would complete a proteomics workflow system at UW. Some of the research that would be supported by this equipment includes: biochemical studies of nitric oxide, an important regulator of physiological processes like blood pressure, neuro-transmission, insulin release, memory storage and the immune response; stress response and biomarkers of stress in large mammals; and investigation of the cell cycle and programmed cell death mammalian cells and yeast as a model organism. The requested equipment will significantly expand the capacity for proteomics analysis at UW, and would advance a variety of research programs that include protein identification as a component.