Baker and Amersham establish proteomics system

A fully-automated proteomics system has been installed at Melbourne's Baker Medical Research Institute.

Dr Ian Smith, associate director at the Baker, said the new Ettan integrated proteomics system from Amersham Biosciences, was due to be fully operational by the end of March, when it would be able to process 1000 proteins in a 24-hour period.

Researchers will gain access to systems for protein separation (2D electrophoresis), for isolation of proteins of interest (spot picker, digester and spotter) and for protein analysis and identification (mass spectrometry) with a high degree of automation.

He said it wasn't just the Baker that would benefit from the system, but neighbouring research institutions and biotechs, including the Burnet Institute, Monash University, the Alfred Hospital, Starpharma, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, and others.

"Amersham approached the institute with the idea of forming a strategic alliance," Smith said - the company would provide the system, the first to be in stalled in the Asia-Pacific, and the Baker and its partners would have access to the latest in proteomics robotics.

"Proteomics is a strategic move," he said. "We already had the sequencing, the mass spec, and the gels in-house, but this is the first time we will be able to completely automate it. It's novel technology, and it massively increases our capacity."

Smith said the first projects that would be undertaken by researchers using the system would identify and characterise proteins responsible for cardio-vascular disease.

The Baker bought the system with the aid of a one-off grant of $1 million from the Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation.

Baker director Prof Garry Jennings said the Amersham partnership was a "landmark opportunity" for academia to work with industry.

"Partnerships with industry and academic research have been one of the keys to the success of the investments the Baker Institute and its collaborating academic and industry partners have made, turning academic research into community and economic benefit," he said in a statement.