Proteomics attempts to understand human biology by examining the protein components of cells and tissues.  Unfortunately, currently available technology only allows approximately 10% of the complexity of these cells and tissues to be concurrently investigated.  The cellular fraction that is often poorly represented in 2D-gel electrophoresis based proteomic studies is the membrane protein fraction; due to these proteins inherently hydrophobic nature.  Membrane proteins play a crucial role in many cellular and physiological processes such as relaying information and molecules between the cell and its milieu and between cellular fractions.  The normal functioning of these proteins are imperative for health and it is known that under perturbed conditions, such as disease states, their expression and function change.

This project will be performed at APAF in conjunction with industry partner GE Healthcare, and utilise the characteristic structural features of membrane proteins to develop novel sample preparation protocols/kits for eukaryotic membrane protein extraction. Human cancer cell plasma membranes will be used as a model system throughout this project.  The project will deliver new methodologies for preparing, separating and identifying eukaryotic membrane proteins. Cell surface membrane proteins will be identified from human cancer cell lines and these may show utility for biomarker applications.

*GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB

SE-751 84 Uppsala
Sweden
Tel: +46 18 612 00 00
Fax: +46 18 612 12 00