Proteomics at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology (WTCCB) and School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Edinburgh. (360G-Wellcome-108504_Z_15_Z)

This application requests funds to expand the existing proteomics resources for WTCCB and SBS at UoEdinburgh through the purchase of a next-generation Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometer, to replace a dated instrument installed in 2006. All organisms depend on exquisite control of the proteome and the precisely orchestrated interplay of proteins, RNA and/or DNA. Our overall research goal is to mechanistically dissect key cell biological processes by identification of all salient proteins and their myriad interactions. We have developed novel approaches, including protein cross-linking and chromatin purifications, to reveal the structure and dynamics of protein interactions at unprecedented resolution. However, many regulatory proteins are scarce and hence at the margins of detection with our current instrumentation. Most of our projects involve complex protein mixtures that require substantial measurement times, such that instrument availability is a serious bottleneck to research produc tivity. Our novel protocols for the analysis of protein structure by mass spectrometry require a specific instrument configuration that is only sub-optimally available with our current instrument. The Fusion instrument requested will provide substantial improvements in sensitivity, speed and configuration that will alleviate current limitations and ensure the on-going competitiveness of WTCCB/SBS across a large body of Wellcome Trust-funded research activities.