The GSC Proteomics Platform performs collaborative proteomics research to characterize and quantify the changes to proteins and the proteome that drive tumourigenesis. It utilizes state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrumentation and novel proteomics technologies. The goal is to identify and validate therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the translation of genomics information into clinical practice. The Proteomics Platform supports >23 grants and >50 projects for >30 investigators using field leading mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation and proteomic technologies.

Technologies:

  • global and targeted quantitative proteomic and mass spectrometry (MS) methodologies
  • quantitative analysis of clinical (FFPE) patient samples
  • analysis of ‘translatome’
  • analysis of splicing and aberrant spliced proteins
  • discovery and analysis of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs)
  • development of isogenic cell culture systems to study aberrant protein function
  • recombinant protein expression and purification
  • protein chemistry

Charles and Elaine Shnier Mass Spectrometry Instrument Suite:

ThermoFisher Orbitrap Fusion

  • global proteome and phospho-proteome analysis
  • ideally suited for TMT and SILAC quantification, and identification of post translational modifications.

AB Sciex 5600+ TripleTOF

  • discovery analysis and label free quantification using the SWATH technology in the analysis of protein complexes and pathways.
  • General protein and proteome identification and analysis by tandem MS.

AB Sciex 6500 QTrap

  • targeted quantitation of mutated or splice isoforms of proteins, protein complexes, protein pathways and biomarkers using MRM/SRM.

AB Sciex 4000 QTrap

  • targeted metabolite analysis

Protein Engineering, Expression and Biochemistry Suite: 

  • peptide and protein fractionation (IEF, chromatography)
  • protein engineering
  • biochemical assays
  • density gradient analysis

Collaborative Services 

The GSC Proteomics Platform performs collaborative research to characterize and quantify the changes to proteins and the proteome that drive tumourigenesis. The goal is to identify and validate therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the translation of genomics information into clinical practice.

The GSC Proteomics Platform has two primary research areas:

  1. The functional analysis of gene products (proteins) with aberrant expression in tumours, or identified as somatically mutated through tumour genome sequencing;
  2. To quantify the global proteome changes in patient tumour samples to identify biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and drug response.

Specialized Techniques

The Proteomics Platform is on the cutting edge of quantitative global proteome analysis. The Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) based discovery proteomics pipeline is used to routinely detect and quantify 8,000+ proteins in a sample and can be applied to whole proteome or immunoprecipitation/affinity purification. Methods have been developed for co-isolation of nucleic acids and proteins from a single homogenous sample as well as surface protein enrichment. Tissues can be processed from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), DMSO fixed, fresh frozen, or cores. Cells and biological fluids are also amenable to this protocol.

workflow

Targeted quantification of proteins, protein complexes, protein pathways, mutated proteins, splice isoforms, and biomarkers using MRM, SRM, and PRM techniques are routinely used for precise and robust quantification of specific proteins. Cells, biological fluids, or tissues (FFPE or DMSO fixed, fresh frozen, or cores) are amenable to this protocol.

MRM

Targeted methods have been developed for select small molecules, and global metabolomics methods are in development.

The Platform develops isogenic cell culture systems to study aberrant protein function, and to express and purify recombinant proteins for protein chemistry research. The Platform is broadly equipped with capabilities for protein engineering, biochemical assays, peptide and protein fractionation techniques, ultracentrifugation, and density gradient analyses.

Applications

The SP3-CTP (SP3-Clinical Tissue Proteomics) obtains high coverage (>8,000 protein) quantitative proteomics from limited amounts of archived FFPE patient tumour samples1. This transformative technology has led to the discovery of new biomarkers for diverse cancers, and prompted cancer pathologists from BC, Canada, USA, and Europe to initiate projects with the Platform, in order to exploit the potential of their decades-old FFPE tumour sample banks to identify novel cancer biomarkers.

volcano

The Platform specializes in the parallel analysis of the genome, transcriptome, and proteome of research and patient samples to understand how genome sequence and RNA processing affect the proteome and cellular processes and biochemistry.

integrative

The Platform employs TMT methods for the quantitative analysis of protein complexes isolated by chromatographic, affinity purification (direct antibodies or epitope tags), or proximity labeling (BioID, APEX) methods. These data provide direct information on the functions of proteins or mutated proteins in the cell.

network

The Platform employs TMT methods for the dose and temporal effects of drugs on the global proteome. When coupled with transcriptome information these data provide a comprehensive overview for how drugs or tool compounds affect cellular processes.

drug MOA

Both global and targeted methods are implemented for discovery and analysis of post-translational modifications including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation.

peptide

Questions?

Didn't find what you're looking for?

Please feel free to contact one of our Platform Leaders directly.

Back to top