The field of proteomics aims to characterise the complete repertoire of proteins expressed by a genome (the proteome) in order to better understand how cells function. The global analysis of proteins is challenging due to the high complexity (>12,000 genes are frequently transcriptionally active) and dynamic range of protein abundances. (10 orders of magnitude between high- and low-expressed proteins). A further challenge is the post-translational modifications of proteins (e.g. phosphorylation) and their interactions with one another to form complexes, both of which are highly divergent in time and space. To tackle these analytical challenges, proteomics employs a combination of techniques including sophisticated sample preparation methods, mass spectrometry (MS) and bioinformatics.
THE CELL SIGNALING AND CLINICAL PROTEOMICS GROUP
Proteins act as the molecular effectors of cells and catalyse virtually all biological processes. In this regard, proteomics aims to characterise the complete repertoire of proteins to better understand how cells function at the molecular level. Global analysis of proteins is challenging, owing to their high complexity (>12,000-14,000 genes) and high dynamic range (9 orders of magnitude between high- and low-expressed proteins).Furthermore, proteins are post-translationally modified (e.g. phosphorylation) and interact with each other to form complexes; both processes are highly divergent in time and space. To tackle these analytical challenges, proteomics uses a combination of sample preparation, mass spectrometry (MS) and bioinformatics. The Cell Signaling and Clinical Proteomics Group implements several proteomic approaches to understand, at the molecular level, the underlying complex mechanisms involved in disease appearance and evolution.
One of the main interests of our Group is stem cell biology and pluripotency. Our research aims to improve our understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways that control and regulate key processes in pluripotency, such as the self-renewal capacity of stem cells, the acquisition and maintenance of the pluripotent state, the differentiation process and the somatic cell reprogramming. To this end, we use different proteomic methodologies such as phosphoproteomics, protein dynamics, interactomics and global proteome profiling. Furthermore, another research area of the Cell Signaling and Clinical Proteomcis Group is the application and implementation of proteomics for the analysis of human and patient samples, an emerging field known as Clinical Proteomics. Owing to the high sensitivity levels reached by current MS technology as well as the reduction in the analysis time, large clinical projects are within reach. On this matter, our Group collaborates with different medical teams from Hospital Universitario de Cruces and participates in highly multi-disciplinary projects. Among the aims of these projects, there are the identification of potential biomarkers in liquid biopsies, patient stratification and personalized precision medicine.