MASSTRPLAN — MASS Spectrometry TRaining network for Protein Lipid adduct ANalysis

Results in brief

MASS Spectrometry TRaining network for Protein Lipid adduct ANalysis

Many chronic, life-threatening diseases, e.g. diabetes and cancer, involve inflammation, which produces oxidizing compounds that damage cells and tissues. Oxidative damage to fats (lipids) makes them highly reactive or “sticky”; these can bind to proteins inducing further damage by altering the proteins’ structure and function, contributing to disease. This process is called lipoxidation. Being able to measure which proteins are affected by lipoxidation and how this alters their behaviour will improve our understanding of disease, leading to new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. Understanding the consequences of lipoxidation and its link to diseases requires multidisciplinary approaches. The only method to characterize lipid oxidation and protein lipoxidation at a molecular level is mass spectrometry, but this is challenging, and few young researchers gain hands-on experience; industry particularly recognizes this shortage of scientists adequately trained in advanced analytical methods. The MASSTRPLAN project provided early stage researchers (ESRs) with a deep knowledge of the mass spectrometry of oxidized lipids and proteins combined with complementary techniques such as microscopy, flow cytometry & bioinformatics, and a broad perspective on disease mechanisms and diagnostic tools. These broadly skilled ESRs will support the translation of knowledge and techniques to industry and healthcare, ultimately generating outcomes that can benefit society. To achieve this, the MASSTRPLAN ITN brought together a multi-disciplinary network of 6 academic institutions, 2 hospitals and 2 commercial teams, and 14 other partners working in the fields of technology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences and learned societies. The main objectives of MASSTRPLAN were to: 1. Train 14 ESRs in advanced and novel chromatography, mass spectrometry and complementary techniques including microscopy and bioinformatics, to detect challenging heterogeneous biomolecule modifications and determine their functional effects; 2. Give ESRs a broad perspective on the relevance and mechanisms of oxidative modifications in pathophysiology and biotechnology; 3. Enable ESRs trained in technology development to engage effectively with the clinical sector; 4. Train ESRs in translational and development skills to produce new protocols, materials and commercializable diagnostic tools. The key outcomes of the project are the successful training of the ESRs and their introduction to the international scientific community (leading to high level employment), and extensive research outputs, already published in more than 50 articles.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

MASSTRPLAN will train the next generation of interdisciplinary research leaders in advanced molecular analytical techniques to detect oxidized phospholipids & proteins in biological & clinical samples, evaluate their biochemical roles in inflammation, and translate these findings to develop new diagnostic tools. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) & cancer are major causes of mortality and cost the EU economy dearly in healthcare and lost working time; CVD alone is estimated to be responsible for 47% of deaths and to cost the EU €196 billion a year. Scientists able to develop advanced analytical tools for detecting oxidative biomolecule modifications and assessing their contribution to cell dysfunction & disease are urgently needed. The objectives of MASSTRPLAN are to 1) train early stage researchers (ESRs) in advanced and novel chromatography, mass spectrometry, and complementary techniques including microscopy and bioinformatics to detect challenging heterogeneous biomolecule modifications and determine their functional effects; 2) give ESRs a broad perspective on relevance & mechanisms of oxidative modifications in pathophysiology and biotechnology; 3) enable ESRs trained in technology development to engage effectively with the clinical sector; and 4) train ESRs in translational and development skills to produce new protocols, materials and commercializable diagnostic tools.The ETN will achieve this by bringing together 10 beneficiaries and 15 partners from academic, industrial and healthcare organizations working in analytical, bioinformatic, biological, clinical & biotech fields to provide multidisciplinary, cross-sector training. Extensive mobility, industrial secondments and network-wide training will yield a cohort of analytical scientists with the unique theoretical, technological, and entrepreneurial skill set to yield new understanding of oxidative inflammatory disorders, leading to better tools and therapies.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

ASTON UNIVERSITY · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
AB SCIEX UK LIMITED · WarringtonUnited Kingdom
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
Achucarro Basque Center for Neurosc · LeioaSpain
Antec Leyden BV · ZoeterwoudeNetherlands
CELL2B ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS SA · CANTANHEDEPortugal
CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO · MilanoItaly
Cayman Chemical Company · Ann ArborU.S. Outlying Islands
Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, E. P. E. · AveiroPortugal
DSM FOOD SPECIALTIES BV · DelftNetherlands
DSM Nutritional Products Ltd · KaiseraugstSwitzerland
ELSEVIER BV · AmsterdamNetherlands
European Proteomics Association · PotsdamGermany
INSTITUTO PORTUGUES DO SANGUE E DA TRANSPLANTACAO IP · LisboaPortugal
MICROMASS UK LTD · Wilmslow CheshireUnited Kingdom
MOLOGIC LTD · BedfordUnited Kingdom
Red Española de Microscopía Óptica · MadridSpain
Society for Free Radical Research Europe · LondonUnited Kingdom
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (BREMEN) GMBH · BremenGermany
UNICAM SISTEMAS ANALITICOS · AlgésPortugal
UNIDADE LOCAL DE SAUDE DE COIMBRA EPE · CoimbraPortugal
UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO · AveiroPortugal
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO · MilanoItaly
UNIVERSITAET LEIPZIG · LeipzigGermany
UNIVERSITATKLINIKUM LEIPZIG · LeipzigGermany
VIB VZW · ZWIJNAARDE - GENTBelgium

MASSTRPLAN · MASS Spectrometry TRaining network for Protein Lipid adduct ANalysis

Results in brief

MASS Spectrometry TRaining network for Protein Lipid adduct ANalysis

Project objective

Participants

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