Research Groups
Introduction
Blundell Brindle Broadhurst Brown Carrington Dupree Evan  Head of Dept. Farndale Gay Grace Griffin Hendrich Hesketh Higgins Hollfelder Hong Howe Hyvonen Jackson S Jackson T Jackson R Laue Leadlay Lester Lilley Lipkow	Livesey Luisi Lummis Mata McCafferty Metcalfe Mishima Miska Monie Mott Murzina Nietlispach Owen Oliver Packman Pellegrini Robinson Salmond Scadden Silva Smith A Smith C Standart Thomas Timmers Tolkovsky Welch Zhang
Past members

Visit CCP web site

Cambridge Centre for Proteomics

Research Grouping: Functional genomics, systems biology and genetic medicine

The Cambridge Centre for Proteomics (CCP) was set up initially with BBSRC funding as part of the Investigating Gene Function Initiative (IGF) to provide a proteomics resource for the UK Arabidopsis and Drosophila communities. CCP now collaborates with numerous investigators from these communities, and the Cambridge research community, in a wide range of proteomic projects. Such collaborations range from small-scale protein identification in purified protein samples, to systematic analysis of significant protein differences in complex mixtures. Details of these collaborations and more information about CCP can be found on our web site.

Methodologies within the facility centre on quantitative comparative proteomics using a combination of 2D PAGE and non-gel based methods. The quantitative 2D PAGE technique that CCP employs is Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DiGE), a technique that allows up to three different protein samples to be run on the same 2D gel by virtue of differential labelling using spectrally distinct fluorescent cyanine dyes.

2D DiGE of wild type (Cy3-labelled) and mutant (Cy5-labelled) Erwinia carotovora samples. The central panel shows an overlay of the two images. If equal amounts of a protein are present in both samples the spots will appear yellow; if the protein is only present in the wild-type the spot will appear green; if the protein is only present in the mutant it will appear red. For each spot a Cy3:Cy5 ratio can be assigned reflecting the differing amounts of a given protein within the two samples.

Additionally we have an interest in quantitative membrane proteomics and are developing methods enabling us to assign integral membrane proteins to specific sub-cellular organelles in Arabidopsis thaliana and other organisms. For this application we are using differential isotope labelling in conjunction with mass spectrometric techniques (MALDI-Tof and multi-dimensional LC-MSMS).
We are also focussing our attentions on dealing with system artefacts within quantitative techniques with the aim of being able to define significance thresholds for all current techniques. The overall aim is to have a common strategy by which we can reliably and reproducibly determine such thresholds for emerging technology. This knowledge will allow more robust experimental design and tailoring the quantitative approach taken to the availability of sample.

Lab members
Irina Armean, Nick Bond, Floriana Capuano, Philip Charles, Andrew Christoforou, Mike Deery, Renata Feret, Arnoud Groen, Svenja Hester, Julie Howard-Murkin, Isabelle Nett, Johanna Rees

References