Research in our laboratory is directed towards applying advanced systems biology methodologies to i] investigate the timing of signaling events in the propagation of receptor tyrosine kinases signaling, ii] quantify the effect of oncogenic mutations or oxidation on the re-wiring of these signaling networks under pathogenic conditions, iii] apply clinical proteomics to identify molecular predictors of response to different  cancer therapies in an effort to create personalized therapies; and iv] interface time-resolved mass spectrometry with microfluidics technology and develop new nanokinetics platforms for quantitative monitoring of rapid enzyme kinetics/drug screening assays to further our understanding of potential drug targets at molecular level. To accomplish our goals, we are taking a cross-disciplinary approach based on:

  • proteomics methodologies,
  • specific instrumentation for cellular stimulation with growth factors with millisecond time resolution,        
  •  highly specific molecular probes for the detection of sulfenic acid containing proteins as key intermediates in redox signaling, and
  • computational methods to integrate and evaluate the massive amount of data generated by the proteomics approach.    
  

We believe that research which takes into consideration the multiple aspects of a disease from genetics to the outcome of a clinical trial and back will have the greatest impact on the medical quest for predictive, preventive and personalized medicine. Our efforts have been greatly enhanced by a generous donation from the Kimbrell family which facilitated the purchasing of two state-of-the-art instruments, a Thermo LTQ ion-trap mass spectrometer coupled with a Ultimate 3000 nano-HPLC system and an Agilent LC/MSD TOF mass spectrometer. In their honor, the laboratory housing the instruments was named the Kimbrell Proteomics Laboratory.   

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