Chem 219: Mass Spectrometry-based Proteomics

Spring 2024

Proteomics is broadly concerned with gaining new knowledge on global protein composition at the cellular, sub-cellular, or protein complex level and how their functions are modulated by posttranslational dynamics, e.g. kinome or ubiquitylome/proteasome homeostasis; or the effects of molecular defects on aberrant signaling pathways and networks, etc. Mass spectrometry is the technology of choice for detecting this information due to its ability to analyze complex samples for both discovery and quantification.

Course Description: This course will focus on the practical aspects (i.e. experimental and mass spectral interpretation) involved in the identification of proteins and their covalent modifications. It will cover the fundamental principles of currently important mass spectrometry instrument platforms. It will provide an overview of key scientific problems that are being tackled and solved at the protein-level relevant to cell function/dysfunction; the detection and assignment of protein posttranslational modifications; and studies of site-specific dynamics/relative quantitation. It will also cover studies on the architecture of protein complexes and machines.

Simultaneously, dry laboratory work will be performed to learn how to carry out the interpretation of complex mixtures of peptides isolated from cells involved in current active research projects. A block of time will be scheduled for class discussion of the experimental results you obtain.

Lecture Schedule: April 1 – 19, 2024:
Mondays and Thursdays 1-3pm, Mission Bay Campus BH-413

If you want to participate please email Al Burlingame, so that instructors can have an idea of the number of people who will attend.

Lecturers