The Mass Spectrometry Group uses mass spectrometry-based tools to gain structural insight into the mechanisms of diseases related to environmental health sciences.
Specifically, the group is interested in the characterization of the tertiary structures of proteins, of the recognition surfaces involved in protein:protein interactions, of posttranslational modifications of proteins, and small molecule quantitation. As part of this effort, the Group’s research has included the early development of the coupling of nanoscale capillary liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry, development of direct analysis of affinity-bound analytes by MALDI/MS and applications to the characterization of epitopes recognized by anti-HIV antibodies.
Major areas of research:
The characterization of epitopes recognized by antibodies against infectious organisms
Characterization of protein structures and sites of interaction in protein:protein and protein:DNA complexes
Improved methods for characterization of protein posttranslational modifications
Characterization of protein products of free radical induced oxidation
Small molecule quantitation by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS
Current projects:
Mapping epitopes recognized by human anti-HIV gp120, gp41 and p24 protein antibodies, human anti-HCV E2 protein antibodies, anti-B. anthracis ATR protein antibodies
Development of oxidative surface mapping for characterization of protein recognition surfaces
Structural characterization of proteins and protein:protein interactions involved in DNA repair, Sjogren’s disease, B. subtilis competency, and (blood clotting) Factor Xa
Development of novel methods. e.g., TiO2 metal ion affinity, for isolation and characterization of phosphorylated proteins and peptides
Development of improved methods for the quantitative analysis of androgens by LC/MS/MS and their application to refractory prostate cancer tissue
Quantitation of eicosanoids in a variety of tissue types
Key Collaborators:
T. Archer(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lmc/groups/cge/index.cfm)
M. Fessler(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lrb/host-def/index.cfm)
S. Foung(http://med.stanford.edu/profiles/Steven_Foung)
T. Kunkel(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lmg/dnarf/index.cfm)
B. Lentz(http://hekto.med.unc.edu:8080/FACULTY/LENTZ/lab.html)
R. Mason(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lmg/dcs/index.cfm)
M. Przybylski(http://www.uni-konstanz.de/agprzybylski/chemie/)
S. Wilson(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lsb/dnarna/index.cfm)
S. Zolla-Pazner(http://www.med.nyu.edu/research/zollas01.html)
Kenneth B. Tomer, Ph.D., is the head of the Mass Spectrometry Group. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers and more than 30 reviews and book chapters. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1970. Prior to joining NIEHS in 1986, he was Associate Director of the Midwest Center for Mass Spectrometry/Assoc. Research Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska.
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