WA's first proetomics hub

Researchers working in the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC) at Murdoch University will soon be able to use proteomics equipment worth nearly $700,000.

This will be the first full proteomics facility in the State, and one of only four in Australia.

"Proteomics is the study of the the patterns of expression of proteins in cells, tissues, organs or organisms in response to external stimuli," said Professor Graham Wilcox from Murdoch's Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.

"It takes us a step beyond genetic analysis, as now we can look at the way a cell responds over time to environmental stresses and other external influences such as non-genetic diseases."

Researchers in the agricultural and veterinary biotechnology areas in WA have already ventured into the use of proteomics technology, but have had to send samples to other States for testing.

Dr David Berryman, Laboratory Manager at the SABC, said the SABC had some of the best genomics and proteomics equipment in WA, making it a central hub for biotechnology researchers.

"Housing these 'big ticket' items at the SABC provides opportunities for research groups to collaborate and consolidate research, and gives small teams access to equipment they could not otherwise afford," said Dr Berryman.

Researchers from all four public universities will use the proteomics equipment, for a variety of projects including testing the effect of changing pH levels on legumes and the patterns of protein expression in Alzheimer's disease.

The proteomics facility was funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant.