Chemistry Student Seminar: Ruth Wang

Presenter

Ruth Wang
MPhil Student UoA

Abstract:

Proteomic and structural characterisation of snake venom proteins using mass spectrometry

Snake venoms are complex cocktails of biologically active proteins and peptides. The proteomic complexity and variability along with the specificity and potency of these venom proteins render them highly intriguing from ecological and pharmacological perspectives, respectively.

However, the tremendous knowledge gap in fundamental proteomic and higher-order structural understanding of snake venom proteins poses a significant roadblock towards successful applications, particularly given the lack of robust techniques for visualising dynamic higher-order protein interactions that are critical for synergistic potency and specificity.

Here, we are using an approach that integrates proteomic and native mass spectrometric techniques to characterise a repertoire of medically significant snake venoms at different structural levels for the first time. We demonstrate the use of shotgun proteomics in investigating adaptational questions surrounding Tiger snake venoms, and the applicability of ion mobility-mass spectrometry as a powerful characterisation tool for higher-order structural interactions of various snake venom proteins.