Prof. dr. A.F.M. (Maarten) Altelaar

Professor
Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
m.altelaar@uu.nl
Completed Projects
Project
Proteins At Work 01.01.2014 to 30.06.2019
General project description

Proteins At Work is a project in the NWO National Roadmap for Large-Scale Research Facilities programme which encourages the establishment or improvement of large research facilities with which the Netherlands can assume an important position internationally. Proteins At Work will make high-level technology, equipment and expertise for studying proteins in cells and tissues available to the biological and biomedical researchers in the Netherlands. The Proteins At Work programme is a collaboration between Utrecht University, the UMC Utrecht, the Hubrecht Institute, the Erasmus MC Rotterdam and the Netherlands Cancer Institute and is coordinated by prof. dr. Albert Heck.

Role
Researcher
Funding
NWO grant
External project members
  • prof. dr. Roland Kanaar (Erasmuc MC)
  • dr. Jeroen Demmers (Erasmus MC)
  • dr. Harm-Jan Vos (UMCU)
  • prof. dr. Rene Medema (NKI)
  • prof. dr. Hans Clevers (Hubrecht Institute)
Project
Network Medicine; Quantifying Proteome Wide Crosstalk 01.08.2013 to 01.08.2018
General project description

Understanding how living systems function is one of the fundamental goals in bio-molecular science. The molecular machinery controlling these functions is comprised of a highly complex collection of distinct molecules that act in coordinate fashion. The global analysis of proteins, representing the key functional entities in the cell, forms arguably the basis for understanding how cells function. However, gathering information at the proteome level poses a tough analytical challenge, when comparing it to data collection at the genome and transcriptome level. This is mainly caused by its highly multilayered character with alternative splicing and diverse posttranslational modifications (PTMs), further amplified by the dynamic interplay between PTMs and proteins in complexes and signaling networks. This interplay leads to so called ‘crosstalk’ mechanisms, where, if one node in the complex machinery is affected, other nodes respond either compensatory or inhibitory. Uncovering this extreme complexity is one of the challenges that drives proteomics research, which heavily relies on mass spectrometry based protein sequencing. With the here proposed developments in methodology, sample preparation and computational analysis, I will contribute to overcoming this challenge. I will develop and implement a unique combination of high resolution quantitative proteomics tools that allow the analysis of this dynamic proteome at system wide scales, while maintaining physiologically relevant conditions. The tools will focus on sensitivity, crucial when dealing with limited sample amounts, comprehensiveness, to tackle (PTM) crosstalk, and throughput, important when targeting many different sample types. As model system I will perturb the melanoma cancer proteome, using physiological relevant slow dividing cell lines, tumour tissue and patient derived xenografts, and monitor its response in the face of PTM expression, network rewiring and drug resistance. As many types of cancer are lacking proper treatment caused by limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, the developed technology will be widely applicable. 

Role
Project Leader & Supervisor
Funding
NWO grant NWO-VIDI chemische wetenschappen
Project members UU
Project
PRIME-XS 01.02.2011 to 31.01.2015
General project description

PRIME-XS provides European Union funded access to an infrastructure of state-of-the-art proteomics technology to the biological and biomedical research community in Europe. European researchers who would like to use proteomics technology for their research can apply with a research proposal on this website. PRIME-XS is a consortium of twelve partners, all leading in the field of proteomics. In addition to providing access, we develop new technologies to better aid the research community in answering current day scientific questions, and organize courses and meetings.

Role
Researcher
Funding
EU grant
External project members
  • Flemish Institute for Biotechnology
  • University of Zurich
  • Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich
  • University of Copenhagen
  • Center for Genomic Regulation
  • University of Cambridge
  • Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
  • Commissariat à l'énergie atomique
  • Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
  • European Bioinformatics Institute
  • Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry