Mass spectrometry based proteomics has matured over the last decades and has by now gained a strong position, but it clearly has not reached the required stage for large-scale biomedical and clinical applications in terms of comprehensiveness of analysis, robustness and availability.
We seek to invest into this emerging next-generation of proteomics technology, focusing on high-end applications being widely accessible to researchers in the Netherlands and abroad.
For that reason the following challenges in proteomics will be addressed by X-omics:
Higher throughput, lowering costs and sample needed, aiming at assays to support clinical decision making and other applications.
Development of faster and more sensitive mass spectrometers to improve proteome coverage and separation of proteoforms.
Development of more sensitive enrichment technologies to improve depth of analysis of post-translational protein modifications.
Development of novel cross-linking approaches and affinity-proteomics technologies to elucidate the structural organization of proteins in their natural cellular environment.
In-depth charting of the molecular interactions within the cell, and how they respond to external perturbations.
Albert Heck is chair of Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics, affiliated to the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Utrecht University. The overarching theme of his research is to develop and implement mass spectrometric methods for the efficient and detailed characterization of proteins in relation to their biological function. Heck has pioneered the development of alternative peptide sequencing technologies. His group develops mass spectrometers dedicated to the analysis of intact proteins and protein complexes. As an inventor and innovator, he is well-recognized by academic and industry alike. Heck was scientific director of the Bijvoet School for Biomolecular Sciences and the Netherlands Proteomics Centre for more than a decade. He also provided a critical contribution to Proteins@Work.
Albert Heck (UU)
Maarten Altelaar (NKI)
Boudewijn Burgering (UU)
Alain van Gool (Radboudumc)
Hans Wessels (Radboudumc)
Jolein Gloerich (Radboudumc)
Dirk Lefeber (Radboudumc)
Simone Lemeer ( )
Richard Scheltema ( )
Bas van Breukelen (UU)
Geert Kops ( )
Theo Luider (EUR)
Rainer Bischoff (RUG)
Kelly Stecker (UU)
The main area of expertise of the proteomics facilities, that are part of the X-omics research infrastructure, consists of quantification of cellular proteome, phosphoproteome, and protein complexes. The services offered by the facilities are described in more detail in the proteomics table.
For access to our services contact via our helpdesk is mandatory.