Bioinformatics and Protein Mass Spectrometry Group
Team Leader Jason Wong
Research Focus With the proliferation of biological data over the past decade, bioinformatics has become an indispensable tool in understanding biological processes. Our research involves the application of methods in data mining and machine learning to a broad range of problems in proteomics, genomics and molecular evolution of proteins. We are also interested in the use of mass spectrometry for the analysis of proteins and are developing novel analytical methods that will enable the study of sub-proteomes.
Research Interests
Development of algorithms for the analysis of mass spectrometry-based proteomics data: Data analysis remains a major bottleneck in many mass spectrometry-based proteomics experiments. With increase database sizes, interest in the analysis of post-translational modifications and improving resolution of mass spectrometers, the computational requirements remain very significant. Our research interest lies in the development of algorithms for automated analysis of protein/peptide mass spectra. In collaboration with computer scientists and mass spectrometry laboratories some research projects include typing and subtyping of influenza virus by high-resolution mass spectrometry and development of highly-parallel algorithms for the annotation of peptide tandem mass spectra.
Characterisation of sub-proteomes: Advances in technology over the past decade have enabled the identification of hundreds or even thousands of proteins within a single proteomics experiment using mass spectrometry. In order to maximise the biological information from such experiments, interdisciplinary research is playing a major role. We are developing chemical approaches to target sub-proteomes of interest in search for cancer biomarkers. Post-translational modifications such as tyrosine oxidation and protein ADP-ribosylation are some of the areas of research interest.
Evolution of post-translational modifications: In collaboration with the Allosteric Disulfide Group, we are investigating the molecular evolution of protein disulfide bonds. The rate of acquisition versus loss through evolution will reveal the importance of disulfide bonds in the maintenance of protein structure or gain/loss of protein function.