Analytica Research Prize for Dr. Matthias Selbach of MDC
New Method for Measuring the Production of Thousands of Proteins
Dr. Matthias Selbach, biologist at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, has been honored with the Analytica Research Prize 2010 in an award ceremony at the Analytica 2010 trade fair in Munich. Dr. Selbach received the prize, which is endowed with 25 000 euros, for his work on “the impact of microRNAs on protein production in cancer cells”. The prize is awarded by the Society for biochemistry and molecular biology (GBM) and funded by Roche.
Proteins play a key role in practically every cell activity: Whether they transport oxygen, make muscles move or digest food – proteins are the chief actors in almost all biological processes. The “blueprint” for proteins is encoded in the genes. But although all cells of the body have the same genes, they produce quite different proteins. How then is the production of these different proteins regulated? Hitherto, scientists have devoted much effort to investigate each protein individually.
In their laboratory in Berlin, Dr. Selbach and his research team have now developed a new approach enabling them to measure the production of thousands of proteins simultaneously. The method involves labeling the amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, with stable isotopes. The cells then incorporate the isotope-labeled amino acids into the proteins. As a following step, the scientists quantify the protein synthesis using a mass spectrometer.
Only a few years ago, researchers discovered that microRNAs play an important role in gene regulation. microRNAs are tiny pieces of ribonucleic acid, a chemical relative of DNA. microRNAs also determine which proteins are produced by which cells.
If the regulation goes awry, this can lead to many diseases. Scientists across the globe are therefore seeking to develop methods to detect which microRNAs are active in the body’s cells and which proteins are regulated by them.
But exactly which proteins does a specific microRNA regulate? To solve this question, the research teams of Dr. Selbach and Professor Nikolaus Rajewsky at the Max Delbrück Center have joined forces.
Using the novel analytical approach they developed, the MDC researchers for the first time were able to quantify the influence of microRNAs on protein production. They discovered that a single microRNA can regulate synthesis of hundreds of proteins. In this way microRNAs can program the behavior of human cells.
Since in cancer cells different microRNAs are active than in healthy cells, microRNAs are considered to be promising candidates for diagnostics and therapy. Therefore, the researchers’ findings are anticipated to have a great impact in the future.
Other news from the department science
![[Fe]-hydrogenase catalysis visualized using para-hydrogen-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy](https://img.chemie.de/Portal/News/675fd46b9b54f_sBuG8s4sS.png?tr=w-712,h-534,cm-extract,x-0,y-16:n-xl)
These products might interest you
PlasmaQuant MS Elite by Analytik Jena
LC-ICP-MS Is the Key to the World of Elemental Species
Highest Sensitivity and Lowest Detection Limits with PlasmaQuant MS Series and PQ LC
IonTamer ToF MS by Spacetek Technology
IonTamer instruments are time-of-flight residual gas analysers (TOF-RGA) for the analysis of gases
Compact Time-of-flight residual gas analyzer (TOF-RGA) for process analysis
iCAP RQ single Quadrupole ICP-MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Robust ICP-MS with ease of use and high productivity for routine analysis
A complete multi-element analysis solution for your high-throughput routine laboratory
iCAP TQ Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Overcome unexpected interferences, reduce detection limits and improve data quality
Ultralow limits of detection with simplicity - even for the most challenging analytical applications
Xevo TQ Absolute by Waters
A new Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer for Quantification with Absolute power
Absolute performance, efficiency, productivity, and confidence for your most challenging compounds
Thermo Scientific TSQ Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Systems by Thermo Fisher Scientific
Confident quantitation with triple quadrupole LC-MS systems
Mass Spectrometry Systems
TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS by Thermo Fisher Scientific
TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS for superb sensitivity and selectivity with outstanding reliable productivity
Eliminate unnecessary, unplanned instrument downtime, save helium and maximize productivity
Get the analytics and lab tech industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for analytics and lab technology brings you up to date every Tuesday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
