Hi everyone,
I'm totally new to ABRF; I went to San Diego, now know about 3 of you, but
don't who are directing proteomics facilties;
There were no formats at the meeting where the issue of running proteomics
facilities, versus doing your own, was addressed. Maybe it's too new, or
maybe there aren't enough academic facilities out there, or all the other
facilities are up and running, and don't need any further information.
Whatever the case, I'm wondering if those of you who are running
Proteomics facilities could share some information with me, and others who
may be interested:
1. did you buy an integrated system for analyzing your 2-D gels and mass
spectrometry, or piece it together? if you have an integrated system, which
system, and do you like it?
In particular, are you "high-throughput" i.e. automated?
2. if you had to do it over, would you buy a different system, or in any
way set up the lab differently?
3. What do you offer: 2-D gels, mini's versus large formats?
4. big question: how do you charge? by the gel? by the hour?
5. even bigger question: where did you get your funding???
6. besides youself (director), what personnel do you have,
someone dedicated to the gels?
someone dedicated to the Mass spec?
I am the director of the UAB 2-D Proteomics Laboratory, which is part of the
Comprehensive Cancer Center Mass Spectrometry Shared Facility which has
existed since 1993 (under Steve Barnes' direction). We started running
mini 2-D gels for a handful of investigators last summer, following up with
maldi-tof. Last month I got internal funding to establish the Proteomics
Lab as a UAB facility, and to "enhance" the capabilties of the Lab. But, of
course, the funds are not unlimited. At San Diego, it really wasn't helpful
getting sales pitches, they all say they have the best.
We have the BioRad non-UV scanner, and are using PDQuest. We are going to
definitely shift over to fluorescent dyes, and therefore need the higher
level scanner. We are on the verge of having to shift to some level of
automation, because user interest is high. Are the gel spotpickers and
automated il-gel digesters worth the money?
Also, is anyone processing samples before the gels, for the users? i.e. if
they say they think their protein of interest is in the nucleus, are you
fractionating their lysates for them, or is everyone keeping their sanity by
letting/making the user do all the sample preparation prior to the
electrophoresis?
That's probably enough for now. If you only feel like answering part of
the above, that's fine. Thanks in advance to those who do respond. Helen
Kim
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