Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, which are vital biomolecules representing the main carriers of biological activity. Understanding the proteome—the entire set of proteins expressed by a cell, tissue, or organism, at a given moment in time using mass spectrometry — provides essential insights into the functions and interactions of these proteins. This information is critical for advancing our knowledge of biology, identifying biomarkers for diseases, and developing new therapeutic strategies. As a core facility, our mission is to facilitate these discoveries by providing researchers with cutting-edge proteomics technologies and expertise.
At the GIMM Proteomics Unit, we provide a full suite of proteomics services, supporting researchers at every stage of their projects-from initial planning to data analysis. Our services are designed to meet the diverse needs of the scientific community, ensuring high-quality results and insightful data interpretation.
Our services include:
Project Planning and Consultation: Assisting researchers in designing experiments tailored to their specific scientific questions.
Sample Preparation: Including protein extraction from various sources, measurement of protein concentration, and enzymatic digestion.
Data Acquisition: High-resolution and high-mass accuracy LC-MS/MS using state-of-the-art systems (see equipment) for the identification and quantification of proteins in complex mixtures.
Characterization of Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs): Mapping of common protein post-translational modifications such phosphorylation sites.
Affinity Purification Mass Spectrometry (AP-MS): Enables the characterization of protein complexes and the identification of novel protein interactions.
Shotgun Proteomics: Provides comprehensive proteomic profiles to identify changes in protein expression associated with specific cellular states or experimental conditions. Samples can be analyzed using either a label-free approach or isotopic labeling (e.g., TMT labeling) for multiplexing.
Targeted Proteomics: Offering PRM and SureQuant analysis for the identification and quantification of low-abundance targets or specific proteins of interest. This approach provides higher sensitivity and specificity, more accurate and reproducible quantification, and the ability to perform absolute quantification, making it ideal for precise analysis in clinical research and biomarker validation.
Bioinformatic Analysis and Data Visualization: Sophisticated analysis and visualization to interpret complex proteomics data.
The Proteomics Unit systems are available to GIMM researchers and external users.
All users must be registered in Agendo, our online booking system.
The Proteomics Core Facility is located at Oeiras. Please contact us at minia.varela@medicina.ulisboa.pt for more information.
If you have utilized our services, we kindly ask you to acknowledge us in your publications or formal presentations. This acknowledgment is crucial for our performance metrics and securing future funding. You may use the following examples:
Materials and Methods: “All experiments were conducted at the Proteomics Unit of the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine.”
Acknowledgements: “We extend our gratitude to the Proteomics Unit of the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine for their technical support.”