The Biomedical Proteomics Program includes a world-class Mass Spectrometry Center (MSC) in the Laboratory of Proteomics and Analytical Technologies (LPAT). The MSC offers NCI a diverse and integrated approach using the most powerful and sensitive analytical tools available for defining important pathways involved in cancer at the level of individual protein components. The group has assembled a suite of mass spectrometers that includes four LCQ DECA XP ion-traps, a QqTOF, and probably one of the most advanced MS instrument available, the Voyager 4700 MALDI-TOF/TOF. In addition, a SELDI ProteinChip® System from Ciphergen is available for cell profiling. Plans are also in place to gain early access to the latest generation and most sensitive MS instrument, the Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS (FTICR), which will be used for the detection of low abundance proteins and their post-translational modifications in tissues and biological fluids. All of the instrumentation is capable of both high-throughput and complete protein characterization. Equipment is also available to aid researchers in preparing both simple and complex samples prior to MS analysis. The staff within the Mass Spectrometry Center is available to provide guidance on the preparation of samples as well as consult with investigators on the variety of possible biological problems that can be addressed by mass spectrometry.

The Biomedical Proteomics Program is made up of six components:

• Mass spectrometry- The Center has a wide range of capabilities for characterizing proteins. The available instrumentation is capable of identifying single proteins as well as proteins that are present within complex mixtures.
• Protein Chemistry- The Protein Chemistry Laboratory has been expanded to include amino acid sequencing and protein digestion and separation of resultant peptides by liquid chromatography MALDI_TOF mass spectrometry and the study of micromolecular interactions using plasmon resonance spectroscopy.
• Protein Expression- The Protein Expression laboratory strives to offer scientists within the National Cancer Institute Community (NCI) the latest technologies in DNA amplification, gene cloning, expression clone construction, and expression optimization, growth of microbial cells for protein expression and protein purification.
• Molecular Technology- The laboratory of molecular Technology is a laboratory of integrated molecular biology that focuses in high throughput gene discovery and analysis, including advanced sequencing, genomics, proteomics and genetics technologies.
• Image Analysis- This Laboratory provides NCI and other laboratories with state of the art 3-D electron microscopy facilities for imaging of living and fixed cells and tissues.
• Bioinformatics- The Advanced Biomedical Computing Center provides HPC services to NCI and NIH intramural scientists along with the extramural biomedical research community. It’s mission is to provide HPC resources to help provide collaborative research, and to conduct in-house research in various areas of computational biology and biomedical research.

For more information please contact:

CCR The Office of Science and Technology Partnerships
Office Of Director
Center for Cancer Research
31 Center Drive, Building 31
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301) 496-4228
Fax: (301) 480-1605