Vol. 1, No. 2
In this issue . . .
Contributors
FSPS - The Scripps Research Institute
Administrative Center Editorial Staff
Paula Yadvish
Nathalie Fike
Contacts
Information
Unsubscribe
Subscribe
"Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument."
- Sir Humphrey Davy, chemist (1778-1829) |
Proteomics Resource News is a quarterly newsletter that features the work of the NIAID-funded Biodefense Proteomics Research Centers (PRCs). The PRCs conduct research to characterize proteomes of pathogen and host cells. This includes identifying proteins associated with microbial biology, elucidating mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, and understanding host responses to infection. The ultimate goal of the PRCs is to discover targets for potential candidates for the next generation of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. This newsletter is produced by the Biodefense Proteomics Administrative Resource Center whose mission is to design, develop, and maintain a publicly accessible Website containing data and technology protocols generated by each PRC, as well as a catalog that lists reagents and resources developed by the sites and available for distribution to the scientific community. In this edition, we feature the work of The Scripps Research Institute, one of the Proteomics Research Centers participating in this project.
Functional and Structural
Proteomics analysis of SARS-CoV related proteins (FSPS)
Supramolecular design of SARS-CoV.
Cryo-EM of frozen-hydrated pleomorphic SARS-CoV particles
|
|
In spring 2003, the world learned of an
outbreak of a newly recognized pneumonia that was named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The oubreak is thought to have first emerged in southeastern China's Guangdong province in November 2002, with subsequent spread to Hong Kong SAR (February 2003) and other countries including Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada and the United States. Epidemiologic investigation showed that the disease disproportionately affected healthcare workers and other close SARS patient contacts, such as family members. Higher mortality has been observed in older patients, and in patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, lymphopenia, and liver dysfunction. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of SARS (SARS coronavirus or SARS-CoV). In light of the potential re-emergence of the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), a comprehensive functional and structural characterization of the virus is essential.
| |
Favorite Site |
| |
beiresources
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports research aimed at developing new and improved tools against potential agents of bioterrorism or organisms that cause emerging diseases such as SARS, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease.
BEI Resources was established by NIAID to acquire, authenticate, and produce reagents, provided for the cost of shipping and handling to eligible investigators, that scientists need to carry out basic research and develop improved diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies.
|
The FSPS team's goal, funded through NIH-NIAID, is "to provide a comprehensive molecular characterization and cataloging of all SARS-CoV related proteins and associated functions at the viral and host levels." The following approaches are used to attain this goal:
- Determination of 3D structure of the proteins and their complexes using high-throughput X-ray crystallographic techniques. These studies are funded by the NIAID Proteomics Research contract and carried out in the laboratories of Professor Peter Kuhn, Professor Ray Stevens, and Professor Ian Wilson. All three were involved in the initial creation and operation of the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG), an NIH Protein Structure Initiative sponsored project. FSPS builds upon and extends the automated structural proteomics pipeline pioneered by these investigators. In addition, FSPS benefits from the results of ongoing R&D projects in the Kuhn-Stevens laboratory including the Accelerated Technologies Center for Gene to 3D Structure (ATCG3D) and the Joint Center for Innovative Membrane Protein Technologies (JCIMPT).
- Determination of 3D structure of the proteins and their complexes using high-throughput NMR techniques. These studies are carried out in the laboratory of the Nobel Laureate Kurt Wüthrich.
- Determination of the function and biological role of SARS-CoV and related proteins. This includes the characterization of the life cycle and host response, the identification and characterization of protein-protein interactions, and the identification and characterization of binding ligands. These studies are carried out in the laboratory of Professor Michael Buchmeier. In addition, functional studies are using proteomics tools, particularly the nanocalorimeter, developed by the Scripps-PARC Institute for Advanced Biomedical Sciences.
More information about FSPS, including mission, background and how to get involved is available at http://visp.scripps.edu/SARS/default.aspx
|
Funded by NIH, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases