This award supports the acquisition of a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI TOF MS) to be housed in a core proteomics facility at Mississippi State University (MSU). The core lab also serves other Mississippi colleges, secondary schools and industries. Initially, fourteen research projects involving proteomics being conducted at MSU will utilize the instrumentation. The addition of a MALDI TOF mass spectrometer to the current proteomic facility will permit a significant expansion of analytical capabilities in support of these projects. The recent additions of a robotic spot picker and a robotic digester to the facility have created a large backlog of samples requiring MS analysis and will optimize the utility of the equipment. The equipment will not only fulfill a need for more timely sample analyses but also add to the analytical procedures available and increase opportunities for additional projects utilizing modern proteomics to address research questions.
The MSU Proteomics Facility is one of the five major resources in the Mississippi Functional Genomics Network. The Network fosters collaborative interactions between the five research universities and the six regional schools in Mississippi. The MSU Proteomics Facility is the only proteomic facility in the State of Mississippi. Thus, the proteomic facility is being used as a resource to expand research programs throughout the Mississippi academic community.
