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Urology

Research Summary

Our research focus is on the use of state-of-the-art proteomics approaches to identify biologically relevant autoantigens and their interactomes as theranostic targets. Our laboratory has published expertise with clinical proteomics, including 2-D difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), standard 2-D gel electrophoresis, multidimensional liquid chromatography fractionation, SELDI profiling, protein microarrays, interactome arrays, and antigen microarrays. In addition, we have recently developed a "reverse capture" autoantibody microarray, which allows biologically relevant antigens to be immobilized in their native configuration. We continue to develop additional novel protein microarray technologies.

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Equipment & Techniques

We have shared (with BWH Gynecological Oncology) major proteomics equipments such as the ProteomeLab PF-2D high-performance two-dimensional liquid fractionation chromatography system (Beckman Coulter), surface enhanced-laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometer (formerly Ciphergen, now BioRad Laboratories), and ScanArray 4000 XL scanner (Perkin Elmer) for proteomics profiling and protein microarray analyses.

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Patent

Diagnostic Serum Antibody Profiling (WO 2006/119155)

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Funding

1. NIH DK078566 (PI: Liu, 09/2007 - 08/2009)

Our specific goals are: 1) to test the hypothesis that the serum autoantibody repertoire from patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) can be exploited for autoantibody profiling, and 2) to determine the feasibility, robustness, and reproducibility of the “reverse capture” autoantibody microarray platform to identify autoantibody signatures as biomarkers of IC.

2. Interstitial Cystitis Association/Fishbein Family Foundation (PI: Liu, 04/2008 - 03/2009)

Our goal is to develop a novel cell lysate fractionation microarray to profile autoantibody reactivity in patients with interstitial cystitis.

3. Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI) (PI: Ng, 07/2006 - 06/2009)

This project focuses on the identification of potential autoantibody biomarkers for smoking-related mucinous ovarian cancer using various immunoproteomics approaches including the “reverse capture” autoantibody microarray platform. (Cost sharing only).

4. NIH CA105009 (PI: Cramer, 08/2004 - 07/2009)

Our laboratory provides proteomics assistance, including various immunoproteomics approaches and the “reverse capture” autoantibody microarray, to identify biomarkers in ovarian cancer. (Cost sharing only).

5. NIH CA111949 (PI: Ye, 09/2005 - 08/2008)

Our laboratory provides high-density protein microarray assistance to identify biomarkers in ovarian cancer, and to cross-validate (i.e., specificity) potential biomarkers with serum and urine samples obtained from urologic patients, including prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia, and interstitial cystitis. (Cost sharing only).

Completed Funding:

1. NIH DK66020 (PI: Liu, 09/2003 - 07/2007)

To identify urinary biomarkers for interstitial cystitis using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

2. NIH DK63665 (PI: Liu, 09/2002 - 06/2006)

To identify potential biomarkers that can define various clinical outcomes for benign prostate hyperplasia.

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