Dr.M V Jagannadham
Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad-500 007
E-mail: jagan@ccmb.res.in
BIO-DATA: M. Sc (Applied Chemistry) from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (1987). Obtained Ph.D in life sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 1998, working on the role of carotenoid pigments in cold adaptation in an Antarctic bacterium. Worked as a post doctoral fellow at Department of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan during 1999- 2000. At present working as a Scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB, CSIR), Hyderabad. Participated in a project aimed at identification of markers to cancers. Current research Interest: proteomics, particularly membrane proteins.. At present, actively engaged in designing protein, DNA transporters. Also developing techniques for identifying protein expressions and quantification, post translational modifications in proteomics.
TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTATION IN PROTEIN RESEARCH
ABSTRACT
Proteins, Nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and lipids are essential biological molecules of all living systems. Proteins are synthesized from the information dictated by genes. Proteins have different biological functions such as transporters, signaling molecules, structural molecules, enzymes, hor- mones, and many other functions. The structure of the proteins plays an important role in their func- tion. Identification of proteins and determination of their function are essential to understand the cellu- lar functions. The present talk will focus on different instruments used to identify the structure of proteins. Cells contain large number of proteins (in thousands). The smallest building block of a pro- tein is called amino acid. The order in which these amino acids are arranged in a protein is determined by an automated method, with the help of an Instrument called protein sequencer. Using this instru- ment one protein can be studied at a time. Hence for analysis of the large number of proteins in a cell, a new technology is developed called proteomics. It uses the protein separation methods such as gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In this process the protein(s) are digested with a proteolytic enzyme called trypsin, and the resultant fragments are analyzed by mass spectrometer. The resultant peptides are fragmented again and sequenced. Submitting the sequence of the peptides to databases, large number of proteins can be identified. This technology can be used to identify markers, and drug targets in cancer.