MUSC Proteomics Center

The MUSC Proteomics Center is focused on clinical and translational proteomics and the development of centralized diagnostics. It is comprised of independent investigators, two core laboratories (Mass Spectrometry Facility and MS Imaging Research Center), and supported by external funding.

Mass spectrometry is the key analytical method for proteomics research, and the Center has a comprehensive, complementary suite of instrumentation for proteomic and metabolomic analyses.

Instrumentation in the Mass Spectrometry Facility, including the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral Zoom, Orbitrap Exploris 480, Orbitrap Fusion Lumos with ETD/UVPD, and TSQ Altis Plus Mass Spectrometers, supports LC-MS/MS based quantitative proteomics, phosphoproteomics, redox proteomics, protein modifications and interactions. Discovery and targeted quantitative approaches available include DDA, DIA, SILAC, TMT, MRM, PRM, IS-PRM.

To support Mass Spectrometry Imaging spatial-omics, the Center operates Bruker instruments including an Evosep-Tims-TOF Ultra 2, dual-source Tims-TOF FleX, a dual source SolariX 7T FT-ICR MS, and a RapiFleX MALDI TissueTyper.

The MALDI tissue imaging approaches are histopathology directed, and used for two-dimensional spatial profiling of proteins, lipids, glycans, metabolites, and small molecule drugs within fixed or frozen tissues, cells, or other biospecimens on microscopy slides.

The Center leverages high-performance computing resources with modern protein search algorithms, mass spectrometry-based quantification analysis, statistical analysis (frequentist or Bayesian techniques), data-driven systems biology, -omic integration techniques, and classifier development (machine learning based) to generate actionable and hypothesis driving results.

The Proteomics Center is supported by the MUSC Vice President for Research, College of Medicine, Hollings Cancer Center (P30 CA138313), SC COBRE in Oxidants, Redox Balance and Stress Signaling (P20 GM103542), MUSC Digestive Disease Research Core Center (P30 DK123704), NCI/Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research, the NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant Program, and the South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence Program.

Proteomics Personnel and Contact Info

For information about mass spectrometry imaging capabilities in the MS Imaging Research Center, contact Dr. Peggi Angel or Dr. Richard Drake.

For information about exosomes obtained from clinical specimens and N-linked glycosylation profiling, contact Dr. Richard Drake.

For information about computational proteomics and bioinformatics approaches, contact Dr. Anand Mehta.

MUSC Mass Spectrometry Facility

For consults, quotes, sample submission, grant information, and LC-MS/MS services regarding quantitative proteomics, protein profiling, analysis of post-translational modifications, phosphoproteomics, O-GlcNAc modification, redox proteomics, protein and drug interactions, proximity ligation (BioID, APEX), targeted proteomics or metabolomics, contact Dr. Lauren Ball.