U of M’s Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology gets equipment boost
The University of Manitoba’s Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology (MCPSB) is the first centre outside of the Unites States to receive a piece of technology that will give it unprecedented abilities to discover new biomarkers, discover and develop new drugs, and develop diagnostic procedures.
Proteomics is the study of the structure and abundance of proteins in the body. Proteins are cellular workhorses that are involved in virtually every aspect of an organisms life, and since 1997, when “proteomics” was first coined, researchers have been dedicated to understanding these numerous, complicated strings of amino acids that keep us alive. This new equipment will help our researchers understand how the million or so different proteins in our body, or those in plants and other animals, work.
The equipment is a SOMAscan assay and its developed by SomaLogic, a privately held biomarker discover and clinical diagnostics company. The equipment will be installed in summer of 2015 under the leadership of the Centre’s director, professor John A. Wilkins.
“MCPSB is dedicated to the promotion and practice of Systems Biology and Proteomics in Manitoba,both in academia and industry,” said Dr.Wilkins. “The addition of the SOMAscan assay gives us a powerful new platform to complement our existing proteomic capabilities.We see unique potential for SOMAscan‐based applications in basic and applied biomedical research.”
“We are delighted to work with Dr. Wilkins and his colleagues at the University of Manitoba to expand their access to the SOMAscan platform, and we anticipate that many new discoveries and insights into human biology and disease will come out of this collaboration,” said Byron Hewett, Chief Executive Officer of SomaLogic.