Proteins and Proteomics

The Antibody Characterization Laboratory (ACL) is the laboratory responsible for the development of well-characterized monoclonal antibody reagents. The NCI’s Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research funds ACL as a resource to the entire cancer research community. ACL produces monoclonal antibodies to putative cancer targets selected by an Antibody Scientific Committee, and each antibody is characterized using optimized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Approximately once a year there is a reagent target request open to the extramural research community. ACL is operated by Leidos Bi… [learn more]

The Antibody Engineering Program (AEP) is located at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, which is part of the Center for Cancer Research (CCR), an intramural program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). AEP focuses on generating therapeutic antibodies using phage display technology, including single-domain antibodies (also commonly known as ‘nanobodies’). Antibody-based therapeutics have emerged as a major component in clinical applications, and single-domain antibodies have shown promise in targeting difficult antigens and buried sites. Dr. Mitchell Ho and colleagues at the NCI have d… [learn more]

Protein Characterization Laboratory (PCL) offers various technologies to CCR investigators to characterize proteins and metabolites. The laboratory develops and applies state-of-the-art analytical technologies, primarily mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), to advance the understanding of cellular function at the protein, proteomics, metabolite, and metabolomic levels. PCL engages in both short and long-term collaborations based on the need of each project. PCL is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. on behalf of NCI as part of the Frederick Nat… [learn more]

The Protein Expression Laboratory produces proteins to help CCR investigators achieve their research goals with the lowest possible cost in the shortest time. PEL is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. on behalf of NCI as part of the Frederick National Laboratory. Established Technologies Clone construction for protein expression, Expression in microbial, insect, and mammalian cells, Small-scale parallel expression and purification testing, Protein purification from micrograms to grams, [learn more]

The Spatial Imaging Technology Resource (formerly the Nanoscale Protein Analysis Section of the Collaborative Protein Technology Resource or CPTR) provides expertise and service in state-of-the-art protein analysis technologies to advance CCR research in basic discovery and translation/clinical studies. Applications include: Quantitative profiling of cell signaling and post-translational modification, Measurement of cytokine, metabolite, and serum/plasma markers, Identification and validation of biomarkers & therapeutic targets, Assessment of on‐ and off‐target dru… [learn more]

Bruker AVANCE 400 and 500 MHz NMR instruments. Helium Cryoprobe technology on the 500 MHz machine for added sensitivity, especially for Carbon-13 spectra. Access to a second 500 MHz instrument with Prodigy Liquid Nitrogen-cooled cryoprobe. User Accounts can be created for automated setup and experiment acquisition.  Use of ICONNMR automated software with 24-slot sample changers on each machine. User training available. Some service to those who are unfamiliar with NMR can be performed either as a one-time aid for compound identification or as a collaborative project for more extensive NMR nee… [learn more]

The primary objective of the Protein Technology Core (PTC) is to establish an experimental screening pipeline for single-domain antibodies termed nanobodies. Nanobodies are antibody fragments consisting of a single monomeric variable antibody domain. The PTC, which has recently undergone renovation, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to enable efficient screening of synthetic libraries utilizing ribosome display technologies and those derived from the immunization of alpacas. Enrichment of selection can be easily monitored by qPCR using QuantStudio5 for synthetic and immunogenic nano… [learn more]

The Mass Spectrometry Unit of the Collaborative Protein Technology Resource uses mass spectrometry for the study of proteins. We perform collaborative experiments with CCR researchers in areas such as: interactomes, quantitative global proteome analyses, and identification of sites of post-translational modification. In addition, we perform structural proteomics analyses. Finally, we also have an ICP-MS for analysis of inorganic atoms. Established Technologies Mass Spectrometry Characterization of protein or RNA interactomes, Identification of proteins in complexes, organelles, … [learn more]

The NIH Center for Human Immunology, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity (CHI) is a trans-NIH resource whose mission is to provide a collaborative hub of advanced translational immunology for NIH clinical and pre-clinical studies. This uniquely structured program provides centralized and efficient management of projects in full collaboration with NIH investigators to better understand human immune function and pathophysiology. Our team works closely to plan and optimize experimental workflows tailored to each investigator’s specific research goals; execute highly sophisticated t… [learn more]