LC/MS to reveal the hidden post-translational modifications in neurodegeneration
Part of the quest to understand neurodegenerative research requires a detailed accounting and measurement of the biological components in neurological cells, tissue and biofluids. This includes measuring the changes in protein expression and post-translational modifications (PTMs) including phosphorylation and, more recently, the hidden isomeric modifications (e.g., iso-aspartate).
Regulation of the abundance of proteins is one mechanism of preserving biological function, however post-translational modification is another method that is often invisible to purely targeted assays such as ELISA or western blot. These ‘invisible’ modifications, such as the isomerization of amyloid beta peptides in human brain tissue, can be investigated using ion mobility mass spectrometry.
In this webinar, Dr. Blaine Roberts, from Emory University, discusses the application of quantitative proteomics to a large set (~2000 samples) of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples to better understand the role of acute-phase proteins in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Roberts will also talk through a rapid 10-minute triple quad mass spectrometer method with heavy-labeled peptides that can provide in-depth information about the amount of targeted proteins in human CSF. Register today to discover how the implementation of quantitative mass spectrometry and ion mobility reveal hidden biology and improve our understanding of a complex disease.
Key learning objectives
- How LC/MS and proteomics techniques can be applied to study Alzheimer’s disease
- How targeted triple quadrupole LC/MS can be used to detect and quantitate a key list of targeted CSF proteins
- How further investigations using ion mobility LC/MS have revealed “hidden biology” in Alzheimer’s disease states
Who should attend?
- Life science researchers interested in LC/MS proteomics techniques to replace traditional targeted assays like ELISA and western blotting
- Life science, biopharmaceutical, and clinical research scientists interested in learning about LC/MS techniques to increase sample throughput for large cohort studies
- Small molecule ‘omics’ labs interested in expanding their lab capability to protein-based studies
Presenter: Dr. Blaine Roberts (Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Neurology at Emory University)
Dr. Blaine Roberts is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Neurology at Emory University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Montana State University and his PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Oregon State University. His research group focuses on using protein biochemistry and mass spectrometry to understand Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He has interest in understanding the role of metals in biology and has developed new proteomic technologies to measure metalloproteins. Further, his group is using proteomics to characterize new blood borne biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Moderator: Finn Price (Editorial Team, SelectScience)
Fionnbhar Price is a member of the SelectScience Editorial Team, who plays a core role in sourcing and publishing content for the site, with a particular focus on the field of applied chemistry. He has an MChem in Chemistry from Cardiff University, UK, and undertook a year in research characterizing bacterial protein.
