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Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics(MSP) Shared Resource Heersink School of Medicine

About

The UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics(MSP) Shared Resource (SR) is a research resource that provides services to UAB O’Neal CCC members to identify, characterize, and quantify proteins, and protein post-translational modifications isolated from cells, biological fluids, and tissues. The over-arching goal of the MSP-SF is to provide state-of-the-art capabilities and training in mass spectrometry, proteomics, and bioanalytic technologies to support the research needs of UAB Cancer Center members.

The overarching goal of MSP-SR is to provide state-of-the-art capabilities and training in mass spectrometry, proteomics, and bioanalytical technologies to support the research needs of O’Neal members. In order to accomplish this task, the specific aims of MSP-SR are:

Specific Aims:

  1. Service; To provide high-quality and cost-effective mass spectrometry and proteomics services to O’Neal members including the identification and quantification of proteins, and protein modifications, in purified and complex biological samples. To provide comprehensive assistance from experimental design all the way through to statistical and systems biology analyses, interpretation, and reporting of mass spectrometry/proteomics datasets.
  2. Education and Outreach; To work closely with faculty and staff in preparation of manuscripts, grants, and presentations containing PROT based research results. To provide training and education to O’Neal members through seminars, formal graduate courses, websites, individual and team meetings.
  3. Development; To develop new and improved separations, mass spectrometry, informatics, and bioinformatics applications implemented within our current standardized workflows in order to offer the most advanced proteomics technologies to support both current and new cancer research initiatives
The MSP-SR welcomes standard and unusual research projects and is open to tailored methodologies and applications. It is important to note that the facility has expanded its services, specifically in response to the emerging needs, metrics, and thematic emphasis of O’Neal. These include the addition of a new sample preparation module specifically for the enrichment and analysis of exosomes/extracellular vesicles and cellular compartments such as extracellular matrix with the use of a newly purchased Beckman Coulter MAX-XP Ultracentrifuge, complemented with specialized rotors specific for each preparation workflow. This type of effort will continue, along with effort to keep the MSP-SR current and competitive with Proteomic technology and bioinformatics tool upgrades.