Demystifying proteins

Proteins have many functions in cells. They provide structure; regulate body processes, such as digestion and DNA replication; transport molecules like oxygen from the lungs to tissues; protect against disease; and much more. 

University of Missouri researchers know that understanding these functions is key to improving our quality of life. And the Gehrke Proteomics Center, one of the 16 advanced technology core facilities on campus, has been helping them separate and identify proteins since 2002. 

“Proteins carry out most of the functions within a cell, and we make extensive use of mass spectrometry to identify the proteins present in samples from a variety of sources,” said Michael Greenlief, who directs both the Proteomics Center and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Core. “Proteomics helps to support research efforts in a variety of fields from medicine to plant and biological sciences.”

Two full-time professionals and a graduate research assistant work in the Proteomics Center, which is located in Room 214 of the Bond Life Sciences Center. Below, Greenlief shares more details about this important resource.
 

What is the center’s role on campus? 

We provide advanced technologies in protein separation and mass spectrometry-based identification and quantification of proteins for MU investigators. 

The university established the center with a grant from Monsanto Co., which Bayer acquired in 2018. Staff were housed in the Chemistry Building until the Bond Life Sciences Center opened in 2004. Since then, the center has evolved to offer more services, but most of the work is now focused on global quantitative proteomics by mass spectrometry.  
 

Which disciplines can benefit the most from your services?

The data generated in our studies can advance a wide variety of fields, including agriculture, biology, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and bioinformatics. 
 

What are the center’s research capabilities?

The center maintains four advanced mass spectrometers. Liquid chromatography is used to help reduce the complexity of samples before mass spectrometry. The instrumentation can be used for global proteomics, analysis of post-translational modification of proteins, intact mass analysis and targeted quantitative proteomics by multiple reaction monitoring. We have the ability to perform protein sample preparation. We can work with samples anywhere from seeds and tissue to purified proteins.
 

How are investigators using the center?

The center analyzes samples from researchers at MU, other academic institutions and industry clients, such as Bayer and USDA. We involve staff and investigators throughout sample processing. 

We also assist with experimental design; data analysis; manuscript figures and methods preparation; and figures, methods and facility descriptions in grant applications. Our staff can train investigators on sample prep, software, and even instrumentation if, for example, a project requires extensive mass spectrometric analyses. Recent examples:

• Zezong Gu, professor of pathology and anatomical sciences, is using center instruments to analyze proteins in the brain following mild traumatic brain injuries. In the future, his team will be examining phosphorylated proteins in the brain to better understand blast-related brain injuries for a study funded by the Veterans Administration.
• Jay Thelen, professor of biochemistry, is interested in characterizing the proteins present in oil-rich plant seeds and understanding how the biosynthetic pathways are regulated in plant oil production.
• Ron Mittler, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of plant science and technology, is using proteomics to characterize proteins that change in plants affected by drought and other stressors and examine how protein concentrations change in plants with and without stressors.  
   

How do you request services?

Send general questions to proteomics@missouri.edu. For more specific inquiries, contact Brian Mooney, associate director, at 573-884-7374 or mooneyb@missouri.edu.