SGER: Can specific proteins be detected and quantified in soil using proteomics techniques?

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

SGER Proposal CBET 0738040 Tim Mattes University of Iowa Can specific proteins be detected and quantified in soil using proteomics techniques? The primary objective of this research is to develop and apply proteomics techniques to detect and quantify a specific protein?the alpha subunit (EtnC) of the enzyme alkene monooxygenase (AkMO) from a strain of the bacterium Nocardioides, which has the capability of degrading vinyl chloride (VC). The AkMO enzyme catalyzes the first step in aerobic biodegradation of VC, which is a toxic intermediate in the biodegradation of chlorinated solvent trichloroethene, a widely distributed contaminant is soils and ground water. The ability to detect AkMO (via the subunit EtnC) in complex soil systems would be useful as a biomarker to signal the presence of VC-assimilating bacteria in soils. This proposal fits the criteria for an SGER in that it is an innovative idea and satisfies the high risk-high reward criterion. PI is a young tenure-track assistant professor, who is well qualified to conduct the proposed work and has ?state-of-the-art? analytical instrumentation at his disposal (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry[lc-ms-ms]) for measuring protein macromolecules. Soil and ground-water contamination by chlorinated solvents is a significant societal problem. This work has the potential of opening a new area of research using proteomics techniques for the development of biomarkers.