P R O T EO M ICS P R O J EC T S
HUPO Proteome Biology of Stem Cells Initiative
recruited to become team members. The eight-member founding board Excitement about the potential of comprises stem cell and proteomics proteomics has been brewing among researchers from around the world. stem cell researchers. Recent findings The meetings will be important by members of the International Stem venues for researchers from both disciCell Initiative, which is charged with plines to exchange ideas and set up colcharacterizing all of the known human laborations. A major challenge for PBembryonic stem cell lines, have helped SCI, however, is to convince proteomics rally enthusiasm. These researchers scientists to attend initiative gatherings have discovered that the lines differ held at stem cell conferences and vice at the gene and mRNA levels (Nat. versa, Heck points out. Therefore, at Biotechnol. 2007, 25, 803–816). Because the first PBSCI assembly in June, many of these results, stem cell reparticipants were in favor of searchers are starting to realize holding special meetings for that proteomics approaches members in addition to those could shed light on important held with HUPO and ISSCR processes that are specific to conferences. stem cells. At the June gathering, PBSCI In addition, both proteomics members also discussed a few and stem cell researchers have topics that should be addressed made significant strides in reby the initiative. “One question cent years, and these advances is, what makes an embryonic have led to the creation of major stem cell an embryonic stem funding programs in these cell?” asks Heck. “The other Getting together. The HUPO PBSCI includes proteomics and areas. “The opportunities but major question is, what makes stem cell researchers who will work together to answer many also the needs of both fields are a stem cell differentiate into a questions about how stem cells function. very high, so the timing is really specific cell line?” In addition, correct” for a project that inresearchers expressed interest volves both disciplines, explains Albert individual researchers have expertise in investigating whether proteins on Heck, who is at Utrecht University (The in both scientific disciplines. Because the surfaces of stem cells could be used Netherlands) and is one of two chairs of of the cosponsorship, HUPO and ISSCR as markers to selectively retrieve those the new Proteome Biology of Stem Cells have nurtured PBSCI by providing cells that are differentiating into a parInitiative (PBSCI). He also is a board space and organizational support for ticular cell type. member for the project. meetings, says Jeroen Krijgsveld, who Already, ~200–300 proteomics and The initiative, which was just at the is at Utrecht University and is a PBSCI stem cell researchers are involved in idea stage when it was announced at board member. PBSCI also is a bit difPBSCI, but there’s still room for ada press conference during the HUPO ferent from the other HUPO initiatives ditional members. Interested scientists convention at Long Beach, Calif., last because the goal is to reach out to should contact Heck, Krijgsveld, or October, has come a long way very another community and jointly address any of the team members listed on the quickly. “Sometimes, it takes us by biological questions, rather than create HUPO PBSCI website (www.hupo.org/ surprise how fast this is all going,” a list of proteins that are present, he research/stemcells). says Heck. Already, scientists from the says. Therefore, biologists were actively —Katie Cottingham JEROEN KRIJGSVELD
proteomics and stem cell communities have met face-to-face at the June meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Cairns (Australia) to discuss plans. Perhaps one reason for the quick start of PBSCI was the cosponsorship of the initiative by the premier organizations of the proteomics and stem cell science fields: HUPO and ISSCR. Heck says that this cosponsorship, unique among HUPO projects, was necessary because few laboratories or
G O V E R N M E N T A N D SOCIE T Y
New cancer center will focus on proteomics and genomics In June 2007, the Indiana University School of Medicine–South Bend (IUSM–SB) and the University of Notre Dame (UND) announced that a gift of $10 million will be used to build a joint cancer research facility. Charles M. “Mike” Harper, a former chief executive officer of ConAgra Foods and RJR Nabisco, donated the funds in memory of his late wife, Josie, who died from
lung cancer. These funds will be combined with Indiana state funding of $10 million set aside for the project. Rudolph Navari at IUSM–SB says that the research in the new building, which will be called Harper Hall, will emphasize cancer biology, especially proteomics and genomics. “We want to build around proteomics because of its importance in cancer research,” he explains. Construction on the 65,000 sq ft
building is expected to begin in the summer of 2008. According to Navari, some researchers from IUSM–SB and UND as well as new hires will move into Harper Hall upon its completion. Scientists from the two universities will share the space equally and will have shared labs “to maximize interaction between groups for seamless research operations,” he says. The facility is expected to open in 2010. —Katie Cottingham
Journal of Proteome Research • Vol. 6, No. 9, 2007 3369
