core facility proteomics

Imbedded into the research mission of Helmholtz Centre Munich the research unit for protein science and its technical platform core facility proteomics provide mass spectrometry based proteome analysis at an advanced scientific and technical level.
This analytics oriented high-throughput competence platform can be applied to investigate biological systems and their specific disease associated disturbances on the level of protein signatures (biomarkers) or functional protein interaction network. 

The research unit for protein science and the facility are integrated into Helmholtz strategic programs (POF II, SAM) and benefit from participation of constant technology and methodology advancement and development within national (NGFN+, BMBF Systec-Imagine; HelMA, KKNMS) and international (EU-ProteomeBinders, EU Affinomics) research cooperations as well as industrial cooperations. The facility is furthermore well harmonized with HUPO standards and closely connected to the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Proteomforschung”.

Since the kick-off meeting in October 2008 the core facility provides relevant details regarding proteomic approaches, instrumentation and sample preparation (SOPs). With the implementation of a LIMS (Proteus) users have access to a web based platform for sample submission, monitoring of sample and project status and results download.

The analytics portfolio contains sensitive qualitative approaches with MALDI-MS/MS (ABI4700) and LC-MS/MS (LTQ Orbitrap XL, Q-TRAP 4000) instrumentation as well as newest quantitative proteomic approaches (ICPL, SILAC, label-free quantification and SRM- based quantification) and bioinformatics solutions.

Furthermore the core facility will participate in HELENA graduate school and is already instructing scientists from Helmholtz Centre Munich in mass spectrometry based proteomic analytical methods including gel electrophoresis (DIGE), nano-HPLC, mass spectrometry and data interpretation. The research unit for protein science and the core facility proteomics are organizing in cooperation with TU München the biennial international Workshop „Protein analysis of Tissues“with scientific lectures and a practical quantitative proteomics course.