Proteomics — the ability to quantitatively measure the array of proteins in various biological systems, under many different conditions - is a key capability for modern biological research. Ultimately, such measurements and the resulting understandings of biochemical processes can enable development of predictive computational models that will profoundly affect, e.g., bioenergy production, environmental clean-up, and provide a better understanding of the impacts of energy production related activities on the environment and human health.
This project, with the support of DOE's Genomics:GtL program, was initiated at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to develop, operate and build upon our existing HTP proteomics measurement capabilities in support of a growing set of DOE/OBER biological researchers. This project has several motivations. First, the project will apply the robust proteomics capabilities already in the pipeline to address the organism-specific scientific objectives that were developed in conjunction with the experts on each of these systems. Secondly, this project serves as a test-bed for the advancement of informatics, bioinformatics and analytical capabilities being developed under the companion project and provides a feed-back mechanism for prioritizing and focusing efforts based on biological drivers that will then serve to benefit a larger community of users of proteomics data. Lastly, this project provides the opportunity for biological researchers within DOE's Genomics: GtL program to derive benefit from capabilities developed by BER in support of mission science. A major objective is to provide our collaborators with proteomic expertise and high quality proteome data in a timely manner, which can be readily analyzed and used to evaluate organism-specific hypotheses.
