The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Proteomics Facility

Structural biologists in the Carver College of Medicine now have a new resource available for their studies. The newly-established Proteomics Facility, located on the third floor of Eckstein Medical Building, is now providing services and state-of-the-art instrumentation for discovery proteomics and in-depth analysis of peptides.

Services currently available in the facility now include:

Large molecular weight determination
Small molecular weight determination and quantitative analysis
Protein identification
In-gel and in solution trypsin digestion
MSCOT mass fingerprint data searches and SEQUEST data searches

The Proteomics Facility has recently acquired and installed several new pieces of equipment including a Thermo LTQ XL linear ion trap mass spectrometer with electron transfer dissociation (ETD) capabilities and an incorporated Eksigent nanoHPLC high performace liquid chromotography system.

The new mass spectrometry system has improved sensitivity for protein identification and provides for several layers of analysis. Each level of analysis adds a new dimension of specificity for positive compound identification. The various levels available are:

Chromotographic separation and compound detection
Mass analysis, which provides molecular mass information
Two-stage mass analysis, which provides structural information
Tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) mass analysis, also for structural information

Multiple MS/MS mass analysis provides a new and unique capability for Carver College of Medicine investigators to obtain information useful in the structural explanation of proteins, peptides, sugars and natural products. A new detector incorporated into the instrument allows for stepwise fragmentation pathways, making spectra interpretation easier.

The new instrument utilizes both a collision induced dissociation (CID) ion source and a more advanced electron transfer dissociation ion source, allowing for ETD fragmentation. ETD fragmentation is a powerful tool for qualitative analysis which moves beyond simple protein identification. Now, investigators are able to sequence peptides while identifying and locating post-translational modifications.

A Progest automated tryptic digester from Genomic Solutions has also been acquired. The new system allows for overnight trypsin digestion of up to 90 gel samples.

Search for Assistant Research Scientist- Carver College of Medicine Proteomics Facility