Our Next Meeting:
Date: May 8, 2012
Location: University of Chicago, GCIS W 301, 929 E. 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Dinner: 6:30 pm
Lecture: 7:00 pm
Speaker: Martin Sadilek of the University of Washington
Featured Sponsor:
Dinner this month is (again) very generously provided by Waters Corporation.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Sadilek holds a position of a director of the Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Facility at University of Washington in Seattle. Under his leadership, the facility grew to serve a wide number of users from the department, university and outside organizations. The application methods developed in the facility range from studies of savannah fires, asteroid chemical composition, through novel quantitative tags, assays for inborn errors of metabolism screening for lysozomal storage diseases to comprehensive metabolite quantitation methods. Dr. Sadilek is currently applying the metabolomic methods to identification of metabolic changes related to different bacterial phenotypes and growth behavior on different substrates.
Abstract:
What have we learned from metabolism of bacteria living on single-carbon compounds?
Microbes are important objects of study for both fundamental understanding of biology and biochemical engineering. While gene analysis provides information on organism possibilities and transcriptomics data offer insight into the actual gene expression that make proteins at a given time, the study of metabolites provides an immediate snapshot of bacterial function and allows an assessment of the biochemical activity of the organism. This combined knowledge is critical for understanding the microbe role in its environment and opens avenues for engineering of function for industrial applications.
We have been studying methylotrophic bacteria from water sediments, which are efficient in metabolizing methane and sequestering carbon dioxide from the environment. Stable isotope labeling in connection with mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for getting information on metabolism. First, we have developed analytical methodology to detect crucial players of central carbon metabolism, utilizing both gas chromatography and liquid chromatography separation with MS detection. Next, a global 13C internal standard was produced in microbial culture and calibrated using standards. This allowed for accurate calibration of metabolite pool sizes during our experiments. The methodology has been applied to sediment bacteria growing on two labeled substrates – CO2 and CH4. Carbon switch experiments were performed and provided insight on the pathways active in these microorganisms. Connecting the transcriptomics data with the metabolomics information affords an understanding at the systems biology level. This lays important groundwork for future development of environmental applications.
Job Announcements
Postdoctoral Position Opening
Mass Spectrometry of Cell Surface Proteins in Stem Cell Biology
Laboratory of Rebekah L. Gundry, PhD Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
The laboratory works at the interface of analytical protein biochemistry and stem cell biology. The long-term vision of the lab is to better understand pluripotent stem cells and their potential for cardiac regenerative medicine through cell surface phenotyping and characterizing the complex interactions of stem cells in their microenvironment. The laboratory is involved in the development and implementation of novel proteomic technologies and combines state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, chromatography, bioinformatics, and cell sorting strategies to generate new tools for overcoming current limitations in the study and application of pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives within the therapeutic and research domains. Specific projects within the laboratory involve mouse and human pluripotent stem cells (ES and iPS) and endoderm and mesoderm development.
In support of these goals, the successful candidate will work extensively to implement quantitative mass spectrometry approaches (SILAC and MRM) in projects involving the characterization of pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives. The position requires hands-on experience with one or more LC-MS/MS platforms for the analysis of peptides as well as bioinformatic analysis of proteomic data. Highly desirable experience includes the use of an LTQ-Orbitrap, QQQ, SILAC, MRM assay development, HPLC method development, Sequest, Trans-proteomic pipeline, and LC-MS column packing. The position does not require previous experience in stem cell biology, though experience with mammalian cell culture is desirable. Other valuable experience, though not required, includes immunofluorescence imaging, in situ hybridization, flow cytometry, cloning, molecular biology, qRT-PCR, RNA-seq, antibody development, western blots, and immunohistochemistry. Strong critical thinking, excellent communication and problem solving skills required
The Gundry lab is a member of the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center (BBC). As such, the fellow will have access to all technology and expertise within the BBC for training and career development. Please see http://bbc.mcw.edu/ for more information. The desired start date is appx July 1, 2012. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions or application.
Agilent Field Service Engineer-LCMS- WI
As the Field Service Engineer for a high tech growth business serving the Life Sciences markets, your primary responsibilities will include: installs and support Agilent analytical LC/MS products for customers, on-site. Delivers technical expertise for analytical solution implementation to customer based on Agilent products and services primarily in the LC/MS product line - including QQQ and Q-TOF technologies.
Perform the duties of a Field Service Engineer for the Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis Group (LSCA) of Agilent Technologies. Responsibilities include on-site installation, customer training, repair and troubleshooting of hardware, and provide routine preventative maintenance, qualifications, and verification services. Job focus will be on customer satisfaction by providing customers with high quality services.
Other responsibilities include adherence to environmental health and safety guidelines, managing parts, coordinating resources, training, organization, providing feedback to manufacturing divisions, working with sales forces, and maintaining up to date technical knowledge for assigned products.
Agilent Technologies is the world's premier measurement company. Agilent provides core electronic and bio-analytical measurement tools to engineers, service providers, researchers and scientists in the electronics, communications, life science research, environmental and petrochemical industries.
Position(s) available in Proteomics/Mass Spectrometry
The Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee is looking for individuals with expertise and experience in mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Positions are available at the staff level (B.S. or M.S.) or as postdoctoral research associates (Ph.D.) in the laboratory of Dr. M. Olivier as part of the Wisconsin Center of Excellence in Genomics Science. Applicants should have experience in Thermo LTQ Orbitrap Velos operation (or other Thermo LC-MS systems) for analyses in proteomics. Additional expertise in small molecules (metabolomics, lipids) and quantitative analysis or characterization of PTMs a plus.
The individual would be part of a team at the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center at MCW to help operate the instruments, assist lab members in protein sample preparation, data analysis, and run their own independent research projects as part of our ongoing research efforts.
Multiple positions are available immediately.
For more information, or to apply for a position, please contact Dr. Michael Olivier ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) and forward your CV/resume.
About this site
Most everything is accessible through the web interface, but you must register (takes just a few minutes) in order to pay dues online or see speaker presentations.