ABRF's Fifth Satellite Meeting, organized by John Crabb, was held in conjunction with the Symposium of the Protein Society in San Diego, CA, on August 11, 1990. About 500 people attended during the course of the afternoon. Guest speaker Dr. Steven Carr of Smith, Kline and Beecham described how mass spectrometry (MS) is fast becoming an indispensable tool for structure analysis in core facilities. MS provides accurate molecular weight information on low picomole amounts of sample. Common uses include detection and identification of post-translational modifications (such as NH2-terminal blocking groups) and monitoring completeness of deprotection of synthetic peptides. Sequencing by tandem MS can be performed without prior separation or purification of components. Dr. Carr also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different ionization techniques in structural analysis of peptides and proteins.
During the intermission of the Satellite Meeting, ABRF displayed three posters: "Amino Acid Analysis in Biomolecular Resource Facilities " (J.W. Crabb, L. Ericsson, D. Atherton, A.J. Smith and R. Kutny), "Analysis of Protein Sequencer Performance in Protein Microchemistry Core Facilities Using Standards of Unknown Sequence: An Ongoing Study conducted by The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (G.A. Grant, D.W, Speicher, K.R. Williams, R.L. Niece, R.W. Blacher, A.V. Fowler, K.U. Yuksel, and L.M. Mende-Mueller), and "Surveys of Instrumentation Used in Protein and Nucleic Acid Resource Facilities and Operations of the Facilities" (R.L. Niece, D. Atherton, C.M. Beach, R.F, Cook, A.V. Fowler, G.M. Hathaway, R. Kutny, A. Smith, and K.R. Williams). The posters were exceptionally well received. At least one author was busy answering questions during the second half of the meeting.
ABRF research subcommittees presented an activity update. Ronald Niece summarized the 1989 operational survey on the capabilities, throughput, and financial status of resource facilities. The survey subcommittee prepared a profile of what facilities are and do on the "average." David Speicher described the design and preparation of the 1990 sequencing standard (ABRF-9OSEQ), and Liane Mende-Mueller presented the sequence and results from 56 laboratories. George Tarr described the design and preparation of the 1990 amino acid analysis test samples (ABRF-90AAA1-3), with Yu Ching Pan presenting the results of the Tris-containing sample (90AAA2) and Ray Paxton presenting the results o f the sample on PVDF (90AAA3).
Following the lectures, an open discussion of past, present, and future ABRF activities was led by Ronald Niece, with Elizabeth Fowler providing a report on membership and finances. The following issues were raised from the floor: number and frequency of unknowns and surveys; types of activities that ABRF should consider appropriate for additional subcommittees such as DNA synthesis and sequencing; and ABRF's potential role in certification of core facilities.
ABRF acknowledges the support of the Protein Society for the series of Satellite Meetings that have been held in conjunction with their Symposia. We also gratefully acknowledge the efficient help of Teresa Spellman in coordinating the Satellite Meeting.
Return to the The ABRF Home Page
Created: 15th August 1995
Last modified: 15th August 1995