Newly consolidated mass spectrometry research cores coordinate biological analysis on campus

The Purdue Proteomics Facility provides innovative state-of-the-art analysis of proteins in clinical, environmental and other biological samples. Uma Aryal directs the facility. Vicki Hedrick is a senior research associate. (Photo by Vincent Walter) Download image

Purdue has consolidated three critical research cores in the life sciences to provide easier faculty access and to coordinate complementary services.

The newly created Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility (LSMSF) includes the Analytical Mass Spectrometry Facility (formerly the Campus-wide Mass Spectrometry Facility), the Metabolite Profiling Facility and the Purdue Proteomics Facility. The facility is a shared resource of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research. Scott McLuckey, the John A. Leighty Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, serves as the faculty coordinator for the three participating mass spectrometry facilities that compose the LSMSF.

The physical locations of the facilities have not changed, only their administrative structure, says Marietta Harrison, special advisor in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships. “There are complementary capabilities in each of these centers, and often faculty are not sure which one they need,” she says. “Our new landing page showcasing all three facilities makes it easier for faculty to find assistance with biological sampling.”

Located in Bindley Bioscience Center in Purdue’s Discovery Park, the Metabolite Profiling Facility (MPF) provides state-of-the-art technologies that enable both qualitative and quantitative metabolomics in complex biological systems. The facility employs highly sensitive mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography and multidimensional gas chromatography for precise sample analysis.

The Purdue Proteomics Facility (PPF), also in Bindley, provides state-of-the-art analysis of proteins in clinical, environmental and other biological samples. The facility enables both targeted and global analysis of proteins, protein post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions.

The Analytical Mass Spectrometry Facility consists of two laboratories with eight mass spectrometers and three staff members. One of the labs is in the Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry and the other is in the Drug Discovery Facility. Services include a complete range of ionization and sample introduction methods. Researchers can submit samples via the newly updated iLab site.

All facilities are under the jurisdiction of the Life Sciences Mass Spec Oversight Committee, created as part of Purdue Life Sciences, an ambitious campus-wide initiative to amplify Purdue’s existing strengths in the life sciences with support from a $250 million, five-year investment from the University. In conjunction with the faculty coordinator, the committee reviews, approves and prioritizes all life sciences mass spectrometer purchases that are made with University funding and are intended for shared use.

For information about services provided by the Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility, contact McLuckey at mcluckey@purdue.edu.