Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics in Human Reproduction

Laboratory of Proteomics and Metabolomics in Human Reproduction

Head of the Laboratory

Natalia L. Starodubtseva, Ph.D. in Biology, Associate Professor

E-mail: n_starodubtseva@oparina4.ru,

FOCUS AREA

The Proteomics Laboratory was established in 2013. Its major goal is to develop diagnostic and monitoring methods to treat the most severe pathologies in obstetrics, gynecology and perinatology. In particular, our specialists make a search for protein and peptide biomarkers of pre-eclampsia, fetal growth retardation, preterm delivery, cervical and breast cancer, respiratory deficiency in newborns, Covid-19 in various biological samples (blood, urine, tissues, cells, and amniotic fluid).

The Laboratory focuses on conducting methodological proteomic studies on identification, description, semi-quantitative and quantitative protein assessment as well as bioinformatical and statistical analyses of mass-spectrometry data. Here are the types of assays which are carried out within the Proteomics Laboratory:

1. Semi-quantitative analysis – ESI-MS, HPLC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS
2. Target protein assay – HPLC-SRM (PRM)-MS/MS
3. Quantitative proteome analysis of protein complement using isotopically labelled markers and/or standards
4. De-novo peptide and protein sequencing
5. MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS analysis of complete proteins and their complexes in combination with identification of post-translational modifications
6. Adaptation of sample prep methods for the following proteome assay of various biological samples (isolation, fractioning, removal of high mass concentration proteins in blood plasma/serum, protein hydrolysis, labelling and etc.)
7. Determination of proteins in compound blends (dynamic order up to 10⁵), identification of post-translational modifications, semi-quantitative (label-free), statistical assay using software packages as well as our own developments.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Laboratory staff is well experienced in coping with compound biological fluids (urine, blood, cervicovaginal fluid, saliva, tear fluid, ejaculate, amniotic fluid, expired breath condensate, tissues) and tissues (normal as well as pathological). We developed clinical protocols to use with various biological samples in proteome studies, both general (screening) and targeted. The methods of targeted quantitative assay include determination of certain proteins concentration in urine, blood and expirate. Apart from this, we have more than 20-year research experience in molecular biology, including the dynamics of metal-protein complex formation, identification of molecular dynamics using D2O labelling, study of post-translational protein processing  and folding in Alzheimer’s disease and in pre-eclampsia using mass-spectrometry of ultra-high resolution.

The Proteomics Laboratory works together with national scientific and educational institutions.

Our specialists conducted a lot of studies on the search for protein biomarkers for the diagnosis and prediction of various hyperproliferative states (including cervical cancer) and severe obstetric pathologies (pre-eclampsia and fetal growth retardation), as well as on neonatology (differential diagnosis of respiratory deficiency). The staff of the Laboratory is constantly collaborating with clinicians in order to improve study design and protocols. We developed non-invasive approach to differential diagnosis of cervical neoplasia by means of proteome analysis of cervicovaginal fluid; we also created a new strategy for early non-invasive molecular diagnosis of pre-eclampsia on the basis of urine peptide profile using mass-spectrometry of ultra-high resolution. The Lab specialists also discovered the non-invasive way to monitor newborns using urine and expired breath condensate analysis. This method allows us to differentiate respiratory disorders of infectious genesis (congenital pneumonia) from non-infectious (transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome). Besides we carry out studies on procoagulant activity of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in order to decrease the risk of thrombosis during cell therapy.

The Laboratory has all the necessary equipment to perform a wide range of mass-spectrometry measurements in proteomics, enabling its specialists to conduct both screening and targeted protein analysis. Among these instruments are: Waters Q-TOF mass-spectrometer with tissue imaging system, Q-TOF Maxis (Bruker) mass-spectrometer with extra ion source for tissue and expired breath analysis (ESI), as well as Agilent 6460 and SCIEX 5500 QTRAP triple quad tools.