Proteomics Facility awarded £1.3 million to boost capabilities

Dr Clive D’Santos and our Proteomics facility have been awarded £1.3 million to acquire a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer, providing next-generation proteomics for the Cambridge biomedical research community.

The purchase was made possible through funding from the Medical Research Council, the University of Cambridge Clinical School, and Cancer Research UK.

Proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins, is a crucial field in both the biological and medical sciences. It enables scientists to identify and quantify thousands of proteins in a single experiment, creating detailed profiles of how proteins change in expression and have been modified in both healthy and diseased states. This insight is vital for understanding complex biological processes.

Within the field of proteomics, mass spectrometry is an analytical technique used to provide precise identification and quantitative measurements of proteins in complex biological samples. Through sophisticated mechanisms, mass spectrometry can determine the composition, structure and characteristics of proteins, providing invaluable data to further our understanding of cellular functions and disease.

This grant has funded a new Orbitrap Ascend Mass Spectrometer, the first installed in Cambridge, to enhance the facility’s capacity to conduct large-scale proteomic studies. The Ascend was released in July 2022 and provides high mass accuracy, resolution and speed, accelerating cancer and biomedical research across Cambridge.

This investment not only underscores the importance of proteomics in modern research but also positions the Cambridge research community at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation.

The grant was awarded with the support of researchers from across the University of Cambridge and the Babraham Institute, and will deliver for a wide range of biomedical projects including research in cancer, immunology and genetics.

The new Orbitrap Ascend Mass Spectrometer is now fully installed and operational. For those interested in using this state-of-the-art equipment, please contact Clive D’Santos (clive.d’santos@cruk.cam.ac.uk) for further details and opportunities for collaboration.