The next Step: Exploring the Proteome:
Translation and Beyond

The Use of Mass Spectrometry in Proteomics

Scott D. Patterson, Ph.D., Senior Director for Proteomics, Celera Genomics.

Abstract:

With the sequence of the human genome completed the field of high-throughput protein analysis in biological contexts assumes increasing importance. As with any discovery-based platform, proteomics is very technology driven and alternate methods for protein-based analyses continue to emerge and mature. We are interested in searching for therapeutic targets and surrogate markers of disease processes using chromatography-mass spectrometry-based approaches. To achieve this aim we are building on approaches of complex mixture analysis that have been used successfully for profiling and differential analysis (e.g., [1-5]). Such endeavors require significant resources ranging from sample generation, fractionation, mass spectrometry and data pipeline and analysis. The basis for application of these approaches in high-throughput in the context of the post-genome era will be presented.

1. Patterson, S. D., in Savage, L. M. (Ed.), Proteomics, Integrating Protein-based Tools and Applications for Drug Discovery, IBC, Inc., Southborough 1998, p. 127-135.
2. Gygi, et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 1999, 17, 994-999.
3. Spahr, et al. Electrophoresis 2000, 21, 1635-1650.
4. Spahr, et al. Proteomics 2001, 1, 93-107.
5. Davis, et al. Proteomics 2001, 1, 108-117.

Biographical sketch:

Dr. Patterson is Senior Director, Proteomics at Celera Genomics in Rockville, Maryland since November 2000. At Celera Genomics he is establishing an industrial-scale Proteomics facility for diagnostic marker and therapeutic target discovery and development as part of Celera's Drug Discovery efforts. The Proteomics approach employs advanced chromatography-mass spectrometry based analyses he pioneered for therapeutic protein drug discovery at Amgen Inc. (Thousand Oaks, California) where he was from 1993. When he left Amgen Inc. he was Head of the Biochemistry and Genetics department and Proteomics Team Leader. During that time he developed methods for the identification of low-level quantities of gel-separated proteins by PSD-MALDI-MS, and complex peptide mixtures by LC-MS/MS (chromatography-based Proteomics) and has published papers on these topics including a number of review articles.

In 1997 he formed the Proteomics Team at Amgen Inc. Dr. Patterson came to Amgen Inc. from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York (1991-1993) where he was a faculty member. At CSHL he supervised the 2-D Gel Laboratory Core Facility in addition to his own laboratory. His research interests included protein identification technology development and investigation of the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis. Prior to moving to CSHL, Dr. Patterson held various positions (finally as Supervisor) in the Australian Equine Blood Typing Research Laboratory at The University of Queensland (1980-1990) in Australia where he obtained his B.Sc, and subsequently his Ph.D. in Physiology and Pharmacology.

Contact Information:

Celera Genomics, 45 West Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.
Ph: 240-453-4666, FAX: 240-453-4112, email: Scott.Patterson@celera.com