Associate Prof Shabaz Mohammed

Proteomics Technology Development & Application

Proteins are central components in living cells. Proteins operate in a highly dynamic environment interacting with other proteins and other types of molecules including sugars, lipids and nucleic acids. Unfortunately, their primary sequence is only one indicator of function. Both protein expression levels and subtle biochemical changes made to the sequence, in the form of post-translational modifications (PTM), dynamically influences its function. PTM of proteins is nature’s way to adjust structure and regulate protein function, their interactions and sub-cellular localisation. The accurate measurement of protein expression and modification in vivo is essential to understanding the underlying biomolecular determinants of cellular regulation. The field of proteomics studies, as the name suggests, proteins in a holistic manner. It approaches proteins as a population operating synergistically within the cell. Proteomics is a rapidly developing area that spans across several disciplines from ion physics to molecular and systems biology. My group’s central aim is to improve proteome characterisation. To handle the ridiculous complexity of the proteome we develop separation techniques and biochemical enrichment approaches. To aid sequencing and PTM characterisation we develop mass spectrometry techniques and protein labelling strategies. There is also a need to identify the interaction partners of proteins be they proteins or other biomolecules. Our group is also applying crosslinking approaches to identify such relationships. Ultimately, these tools are then used to answer pressing questions across molecular biology involving areas such as transcription, cell cycle, receptors and transport.