£1.5 million funding to advance membrane research

Aston University has installed a £1.5 million mass spectrometer, further strengthening its research capabilities in the study of biological membranes. This advanced instrument, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), will be used to explore proteins, lipids, and metabolites within cell membranes with exceptional precision. The new Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid mass spectrometer is designed to provide in-depth insights into the chemical makeup and function of biological membranes, advancing our understanding of the cellular processes that underlie health and disease.

The research team, led by Dr Ivana Milic at Aston’s Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME), will use the mass spectrometer to investigate how lipids and proteins interact within cell membranes, which is crucial for cell communication and essential functions. Despite their significance, the dynamic relationships between these components have not been fully understood. Membranes can undergo subtle but crucial chemical changes in response to factors like stress, aging, and disease, and identifying these changes could have a profound impact on understanding and treating a wide range of health conditions.

The research will focus on key areas, including how membrane proteins, such as aquaporins - important in water transport across cells - affect conditions like cancer, inflammation, and brain injury. By studying these proteins in detail, the team hopes to uncover insights that could lead to new drug therapies. Additionally, the research will explore how proteins within membranes respond to stress and aging, shedding light on age-related diseases.

The AIME team will also investigate the role of membrane vesicles - small compartments that transport important molecules involved in inflammation and healing. By identifying critical enzymes and other molecules carried by vesicles, the research could lead to new treatments for chronic inflammatory conditions and non-healing wounds.

The newly installed mass spectrometer is the first of its kind in the Midlands, outside of the UK’s primary research hubs of London, Cambridge, and Oxford. It will be available to over 20 bioscience and membrane research groups across the region, providing them with access to cutting-edge technology that was previously unavailable to them.

Dr Milic expressed her excitement about the new capabilities, noting that the installation of the mass spectrometer marks a significant milestone for the research team at Aston University. “This platform will allow us to explore the intricate interactions between proteins and lipids that drive vital cellular processes,” she said. “Our work could help pave the way for more effective treatments for diseases and conditions that currently have limited therapeutic options.”

The addition of this advanced mass spectrometer will not only drive research at Aston University but also support the development of the region’s bioscience community. Dr Milic emphasised the importance of training the next generation of researchers in the Midlands, with hands-on experience in advanced mass spectrometry being a key component of their education. This initiative will help bridge critical skills gaps in complex data analysis across the region, fostering future growth in bioscience research.

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