Superfund Research Program
Molecular Biology and Proteomics Core
Project Leader: Joshua W. Hamilton (Marine Biological Laboratory)
Co-Investigator: Jack Bodwell
Grant Number: P42ES007373
Funding Period: 2000-2008
Project-Specific Links
Final Progress Reports
Year: 2007 2004
This core is a Molecular Biology and Proteomics Support Laboratory that provides state-of-the-art services and technical support for various molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics and proteomics needs including: DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesis, and custom labeling syntheses; high throughput automated DNA sequencing and DNA-protein footprinting; peptide synthesis and purification; protein sequencing; imaging support including phosphorimaging, x-ray film processing and electronic gel imaging; DNA array making and array reading capabilities; DNA array analysis; quantitative real-time PCR; and both LCQ- and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A subcomponent of this core, the Biomarkers Core, also supports the development, validation and analysis of specific molecular biomarkers (DNA, RNA, protein, other biomarkers) as well as genomics analysis including DNA arrays, RNase protection assays and differential display of mRNA expression. Last year, this core expanded its proteomics capabilities with the acquisition of two mass spectrometers and a 2D protein gel system. Over the past year, through funding of a Dartmouth COBRE grant, this core added a Biacore Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analyzer and a Beckman ProteomeLab 2D liquid protein separation and analysis system which greatly increased the core’s proteomics capabilities. This core continues to support ongoing studies in Projects 1 and 2 (molecular toxicology), Project 4 (epidemiology), Project 5 (inorganic biochemistry) and Project 7 (ecotoxicology). The goal over the coming year will be to expand capabilities in the area of biomarkers; in particular, to increase support for genomics and proteomics approaches taken by various projects, and to assist in identification and validation of molecular biomarkers for use in these projects.