Frontiers to analyse molecules and mass spectrometers

Jul 25, 2005

Mass spectrometry may not be something familiar to everyone, but it is playing a vital role in medicine and other biological applications and is a technique currently being used at the University of Wollongong to improve our understanding of diseases and their possible treatments.

Just recently, UOW's focus on its clear research strengths paid handsome dividends with the opening of a high mass spectrometer machine - a facility so diverse that it can aid researchers tackle society's major medical problems, test for drugs during sporting events or even help Australia's wine exporters. Only two other machines of its kind exist in the world and both are housed at Cambridge University.

The next Frontiers in Science lecture will be presented by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Margaret Sheil, who has an extensive background in chemistry and mass spectrometry. She will demonstrate the applications of the mass spectrometer and the power of the machine for probing the molecular basis of cellular processes. Examples will include examining the molecular machinery that causes cells to reproduce, viral management, cancer treatment and complexes formed with anti-cancer drugs.

Professor Sheil will explain how, in the field of medicine, the machine will be of benefit in analysing such things as:

* Proteins that are necessary to reproduce the bacterial chromosome, which may lead to the development of new antibiotics

* The lipid (fat) composition of membranes under different metabolic conditions which will aid understanding of diseases of metabolism such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease

* Changes in proteins that occur with ageing that may contribute to diseases such as cataracts and diabetes

The Q-ToF mass spectrometer based at UOW has a mass range 10 times that of a conventional instrument and is specifically designed for the observation of large complexes formed between biological molecules such as proteins and DNA.

The mass spectrometer can also ensure the integrity of wine labelling in the country. It is capable of verifying whether a bottle really contained the wine grape it promised - an important quality control service for the export wine industry.

'Frontiers in Science' is a series of free public lectures given by UOW academics in the Faculty of Science who are world leaders in their respective research areas.

When: Wednesday 27 July at 6pm

Where: Building 35 Room G.20

For further information contact: Scott East on (02) 4221 3512

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128