Associate Professor
Research Areas: Analytical
Email: si.wu@ou.edu
Office: SLSRC 2210
Education:
B.S., 1997, Anhui University, Anhui, China
Ph.D., 2006, Washington State University
Postdoc, 2006-2008, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Benton County, Washington
Research Keywords:
top-down proteomics, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, proteomics, HDX-MS, functional proteomics, autoimmune disease, single cell analysis
Top-Down Mass Spectrometry and Functional Proteomics
The ability to rapidly identify, characterize, and quantify proteins and understand protein functionality is critical to understanding cellular pathways and human disease. The study of human proteomics requires innovative approaches to high-throughput analysis to study these proteins in a complex and biologically relevant context. My lab focuses on developing novel methods and technology to study and improve high-throughput and quantitative top-down proteomics, functional proteomics, structural proteomics, and protein interactions.
Top-down MS: our research focuses on developing novel analytical tools for quantitative ultra-low volume sampling (e.g., pL volume and sub-ng sample amount from single cells, “spray-capillary”), high-resolution ultrahigh pressure separations (UPLC), and multiplexed quantitations using isobaric labeling of intact proteoforms. A key way we have used these technologies is in the analysis of systemic lupus erythematosus antibodies to move toward the goal of early detection and disease/symptom management.
Functional proteomics: Research regarding protein and proteoform structure, function, and interactions is relevant to many areas of bioanalysis including the study of biological pathways, disease biomarkers and progression, antibody interactions/immunity, and therapeutic treatment/drug target discovery. High-throughput analysis of proteins in native or native-like environments is critical to analyze these complex protein systems in a meaningful way. My lab is contributing to these goals via the development of novel methods such as high-throughput hydrogen-deuterium exchange-mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to study protein structure and probe protein-protein interactions/conformational changes and top-down stability proteomics to explore changes in proteoform functionality. Our high-throughput HDX-MS platform has been used to study antibody-antigen interactions to examine neutralizing response for human disease including anthrax and COVID-19.
