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Research Interests

The two most significant post-genomic interdisciplinary sciences, proteomics and metabolomics, largely depend on mass spectrometry for identification and quantification of the genomic products for the understanding of system biology. We use cutting edge mass spectrometry technique to decipher two novel emerging sciences: mass spectrometry based structural proteomics; and mass spectrometric imaging of metabolites.

Current X-ray or NMR based protein structure determination has many limitations such as protein size, solubility, and crystallizability. My lab tackles this issue by cross-linking in-tact proteins or protein complexes with small chemicals followed by enzymatic digestion and mass spectrometric analysis of cross-linked sites. We develop and apply high throughput and high sensitivity shot gun tool to compile inter-residue distance information for the simulation of protein 3D structures. Our ultimate ambition is to freeze in vivo protein interactions and map their real time structures.

In another project, we explore mass spectrometric chemical imaging of plant metabolites to reveal cellular level biology on metabolic pathway. To this end, our work will focus on developing new pseudo matrix additives, high spatial resolution, and de novo metabolite profiling.

There are currently two post-doctoral positions are available for mass spectrometry imaging and cross-linking mass spectrometry. Please contact Young-Jin Lee (yjlee [at] iatate [dot] edu) for more information.