Taylor's University School of Biosciences (SBS), Chemoscience Malaysia Sdn. Bhd and Bio-Rad (USA) organised a three-day workshop titled, "2-Dimensional Electrophoresis - Beginners to Advanced Users". Opened to the public, the workshop saw an attendance of 20 postgraduate students and researchers from various institutions in Malaysia who intend to venture into proteomics and to master skills in the 2-DE area of biotechnology.
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| Participants of the workshop with front third from the left; Dr. Anthony Ho, Dr. Anton Posch and Dr. Phelim Yong | |
Proteomics is the large-scale study and screening of the proteins of a cell, organism or biological fluid, a process which requires stringently controlled steps of sample preparation, 2-D electrophoresis, image detection and analysis, spot identification, and database searches. The core technology of proteomics is 2-DE. At present, there is no other technique that is capable of simultaneously resolving thousands of proteins in one separation procedure.
2-Dimensional Electrophoresis (2-DE) is a form of gel electrophoresis commonly used to analyse proteins, and is currently the most powerful protein separation technique available in the biosciences market. In the laboratory, it has proved useful in the discovery of novel biomarkers that can be potentially developed into diagnostic kits and therapeutic agents for infectious diseases, cancer and others. Moreover, 2-DE has the ability to study proteins that undergo post-translational modification as the protein spots will appear as distinct spot clusters in horizontal or vertical axis in 2-DE gels.
Since its introduction by O'Farrell in 1975, 2-DE has been one of the driving forces behind the development of proteomics. This gel-based proteomics has the capability to analyse protein composition of a cell besides quantitative and qualitative analysis of complex mixtures of protein that made up various cellular functions. The advantage of proteomics is the ability for direct use of various biological samples such as blood plasma, serum, urine, cerebral fluid and other secretions in its analysis without any intermediate steps.
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According to Dr. Phelim Yong, lecturer at Taylor's SBS, getting the most out of proteomics especially in 2-DE remains a challenge for beginners in the biosciences field. As this approach demands the mastering and perfection in hands-on techniques in conducting experiments, participants were exposed on how to initiate, decide what to use and what they should expect from a 2-DE gel. He added that the training workshop will empower the participants to understand the key aspects of 2-DE which will make them much competent to embark into proteomics.
"This training workshop emphasised on the fundamental concepts of proteomics which comprised of understanding various strategies in sample preparation, techniques for reducing proteolysis, how to maximize the output in 2-DE, how to analyse the proteome map and others," Dr. Phelim Yong said.
Among the benefits of having completed this training, participants were able to identify strategies for protein extraction, the usage of practical techniques in 2-DE, utilise effective ways in time management during 2-DE experiments, decide the appropriate staining methods for spots detection and apply suitable statistical tools for proteome map analysis.
The guest presenter during the workshop was Dr. Anton Posch, who received his Bachelor of Food Chemistry and doctorate degree from Technical University of Munich in 1988 and 1995 respectively. Dr. Anton was also a postdoctoral fellow in the Research Institute for Occupational Medicine (BGFA), Germany. Since 2003, he has been the leading scientist at the New Technologies Research and Development, Bio-Rad USA, where he contributes to various research and training programmes. Currently, Dr. Anton embarks on a journey to share best practices in proteomics especially in sample preparation for 2-dimensional electrophoresis and Malaysia is one of his many stops.
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| Dr. Anton Posch | |
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