Research at Fox Chase »Research Facilities »Biotechnology

• Mass Spectrometry
• DNA Synthesis
• Real time PCR
• Proteomic services
• HPLC service

Function

BBF assists researchers in experiments in which the accurate measurements of mass are important. The variety of services include peptide mapping, measurement of adduct formation on proteins and DNA, mass of mutant proteins, fidelity of recombinant proteins, peptide identification during the purification of synthetic peptides, identification of drugs and their metabolites, Oxygen 18 and Oxygen 16 isotope exchange experiments, identification of in vivo and in vitro phosphorylation sites, and protein processing. We can use the mass information of the peptides of a proteolytic digest to identify a protein from the databases. Tandem mass spectrometry is used to partially microsequence peptides using samples that cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities for Edman degradation sequencing methods. These approaches are important to current investigations of gene regulation, signal transduction, and gene identification. Users are encouraged to discuss their experiments with Dr. Yeung before the projects are assigned to Dr. Steven Seeholzer or Dr. Yibai Chen.

Description

The first instrument is a research grade Bruker Reflex IV MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Time of Flight) Mass Spectrometer. Protease digestion is performed either in the polyacrylamide gel slice. A second mass spectrometer, a LCQ quadrupole ion-trap LC/MS/MS system by Finnegan. This mass spectrometer is equipped with micro- and nano-electrospray ion sources, allowing sequencing and identification of proteins at the mid-femtomole level of sensitivity. Services provided using the LCQ include protein identification, internal peptide sequencing, and the identification of the location and type of post-translational modifications in proteins. The third mass spectrometer is the Applied Biosystems QSTAR hybrid quadrupole TOF with both nano-ESI source and oMALDI source. It is highly accurate and stable. Services provided include peptide sequencing and biomarker discovery.