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    PROTEOMICS SERVICES AND COOPERATIONS
     
    PROTEOMICS CORE FACILITY AT THE
    EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
     
     
     
     
    The Experimental Ophthalmology has recently developed an advance mass spectrometry based Proteomics core unit.
    Our facility can perform all standard proteomic procedures, mass spectrometry based profiling, and Protein microarrays.
    We gained expertise in antibody and protein profiling using different technologies for more than 10 years. We could publish our results in ophthalmological and proteomic journals with the highest impact. We collaborate with some of the largest Europe-wide glaucoma studies: EGPS and GlaucoGENE group. The Experimental Ophthalmology in Mainz is the official Proteomics Center for both projects.
    Our facility is open for collaborations and services to investigators from different institutes in and abroad. Please contact us for details.
     
     
     
    Services Available
     
    Mass spectrometry based profiling
    We can perform mass spectrometry based profiling using state of the art instruments. We use the Seldi-TOF Proteinchip technique (Biorad, USA). Furthermore, we can prefractionate complex samples using magnetic nanoparticles (e.g. Dynal and Bruker), which will be done with very high reproducibility by means of robotic stations (Tecan and Beckman robots). Then the samples with be measured by ultra high resolution Maldi-TOFTOF (Bruker, Ultraflex). This will be done in order to compare protein profiles from normals and diseased samples for purposes such as biomarker detection and identification (Clinical Proteomics).
    For most sophisticated analysis, we built our own software pipeline, the PSP protein software project software, which will search for possible biomarkers using a combination of different algorithms such as artificial neural networks, multivariate statistics, and tree algorithms.
     
    Protein Identification and sequencing by maldi-toftof
    After tryptic digestion of spots excised from 1D or 2D gels, high-throughput protein identification (peptide mass fingerprinting) can be done by Bruker Ultraflex Maldi-TOFTOF. The data is sent to a MASCOT server search engine.
     
    ANALYSIS of complex samples by LC-Maldi
    To analyze very complex samples, a prefractionation by means of LC prior to mass spectrometry can be beneficial. We can perform a prefractionation of complex samples by magnetic nanoparticles with different surfaces such as anionic exchanger followed by Nano-LC (liquid chromatography). This LC is directly coupled to a MALDI-spotter, which collects the chromatographic fractions directly onto the Maldi targets. The analysis will be performed in the Bruker Ultraflex Maldi-TOFTOF.
     
     
    PROTEIN Microarrays
    Our facility can spot customized protein microarrays using a specialized spotting system which is available within our unit. We use both antibody arrays for confirmation of protein biomarkers and antigen arrays in order to screen for autoimmune components due to changes in antibody profiles.
     
     
    IMMUNOPROTEOMICS
    A very promising approach in comparison to the unselective prefractionation by different chromatographic surfaces is the use of immunoproteomics approaches. Samples are enriched by the binding to antibody which are bound to Protein-G beads. They are subsequently eluted and the mixture is profiles as described above.
     
     
     

    Software Workflow for Proteomics Profiling studies:

     
     

    Our unit can offer a basic research fellowship at the Dept. of Ophthalmology in Mainz.

    We can provide state of the art facilities for biochemical and immunological research projects.

    The fellow has to develop in-depth interests in one of our research projects esp. in glaucoma and tearfilm. Please visit the sections of our web-site, which describe our current research projects in detail.

    We can offer all methods that are necessary to perform the projects such as electrophoretical techniques, Western blotting, protein profiling on ProteinChips (Seldi-TOF), identification of proteins of interest by MALDI-TOF and Maldi-TOFTOF, fractionation of proteins by Nano-LC and robotic station, membrane spotting, characterisation of cells by FACS, etc.

    A minimum 12 months committment is required. If you are interested in our research program, please send a curriculum vitae and two reference letters.

    All of our funded basic science training posts are currently occupied. When they will become available, they will be advertised in this web-site and in international journals.

    However, there are always options for self-funded visiting researchers to work in our research projects and for those who are interested in our technology and bioinformatic developments.

    If you think you may fit into this category, please send an E-mail with your curriculum vitae and your scientific goals.

     

    Open Positions

    Prof. Dr. Dr. F. Grus MD PhD

    Dr. S. Slysz PhD

    Dr. N. von Thun und Hohenstein-Blaul PhD

     

    Funding

    Our experimental and clinical projects are funded by different souces e.g.:

    • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
    • Federal Ministry of  of Education and Research (BMBF)
    • Pharmaceutical Companies (e.g. Alcon, AMO, Pfizer)
    • Foundations (e.g. Landesstiftung für Innovation Rheinland-Pfalz, TGF " The Glaucoma Foundation", Sturge-Weber-Syndrome Foundation, Herbert-Funke-Stiftung, Ernst und Berta Grimmke-Stiftung, DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Ausstausch Dienst)
    • Funding programmes from the Johannes Gutenberg University e.g. MAIFOR, inneruniversitäre Forschungsförderung, Forschungszentrum Translationale Neurowissenschaften (FTN)

    For recent information check our News section.

    Seminare
    „Arbeitsgruppenseminar der Experimentelle und Translationale Ophthalmologie"
    wöchentlich, Dienstag 9:30
    Prof. Dr. Dr. Grus
     
     
    Bachelor-, Master- oder Diplomarbeiten
    Wir vergeben Arbeiten für Studenten der Biologie, Biochemie, Bioinformatik, Biotechnologie, Biomedizin, u.a.
    Bei Interesse melden Sie sich bei Prof. Dr. Dr. Grus:
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    Medizinische Doktorarbeiten
    Klinische und experimentelle Arbeiten in unterschiedlichen Gebieten
    Bei Interesse melden Sie sich bei Prof. Dr. Dr. Grus:
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     Prof. Dr. Dr. F. Grus PhD MD

     

    Neuroprotection

    Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is a chronic process over many years which finally leads to apoptosis with a loss of retinal ganglion cells associated with the loss of visual function.
    Several mechanisms such as Glutamate induced excitotoxicity, generation of free radicals and NO neurotoxicity that could be responsible for retinal ganglia cell death were discussed.
    The treatment with neuroprotective agents with various structures and different mechanisms of action could provide protection to the remaining neurons.
    The aim of this research area is to investigate the effect of different neuroprotective agents on apoptotic retinal ganglia cells.
    Therefore, apoptose tests, FACS, and protein profiling will be performed.
    In cooperation with the Institute of Pharmacy (PD Dr. U. Ulbrich PhD) and pharmaceutical companies we have large ongoing studies on the apoptosis and proteome profiles of retinal ganglion cells in order to test the neuroprotective power of several different drugs.

     

    Immunodulating effect of allopurinol

    If there is an autoimmune component in glaucoma, an immunomodulating treatment could be benificial. Therefore, new immunomodulating drugs are needed. In previous studies, we could demonstrate that allopurinol can change the auto-antibody and cytokine profiles in different animal models. We could show that allopurinol is effective in the treatment of lens-induced uveitis (LIU), and experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).

    1. Impressum
    2. Positions
    3. Staff
    4. Introduction