Award details

Radical solutions for researching the proteome

Reference	BB/C511572/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Andrew Pitt
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Jonathan Cooper
Institution	University of Glasgow
Department	School of Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	5,314,963
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	03/05/2005
End date	02/11/2011
Duration	78 months

Abstract

Almost paradoxically the deciphering of the genome has highlighted the urgent need to analyse the proteome. It has become clear that the complexity of life is achieved through combinatorial assemblies of proteins which form structural and regulatory networks that determine the fate and function of cells, organs and organisms. A reasonable assumption is that approximately 30,000 human genes can give rise to more than 1,000,000 different protein functions. The analysis of proteins has therefore to grasp not only the physicochemical properties, but also context dependent functionality. The unraveling of this complexity will be the next big challenge for biology and medicine. In contrast to genetic changes, the dynamic nature of the proteome reflects and influences the dynamic course of a disease, offering in principle, a much richer source of information for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy. Today¿s proteomics faces numerous challenges. We have identified four core technological challenges where generic improvements will have the largest and most decisive impact on the application of proteomics to a variety of disciplines: A. Disentangling the complexity of the proteome; B. Proteomics as a tool to analyse protein function; C. Pushing sensitivity; D. Interfacing proteomics with genomics. To achieve this we will develop radically new solutions including new instrumentation for nanoscale cell fractionation and mass spectrometry; gel free protein separation and quantitation systems especially for the analysis of protein complexes; new methods for the analysis of protein function and modifications including smart arraying technologies; new methods for the clinical application of proteomics; and an integrated database for the handling of genomic and proteomic data. In order to achieve these ambitious goals we have assembled an interdisciplinary consortium that combines leading expertise in physics, chemistry, nano-engineering, biology and medicine, and is supported by stateof the art equipment and infrastructure.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Engineering & Biological Systems (EBS)
Research Topics	Technology and Methods Development
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	IRC in Proteomic Technologies (IPT) [2004]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

Associated awards:

BB/C511599/1 Radical solutions for researching the proteome

BB/C511613/1 Radical solutions for researching the proteome

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