{"id":40386,"date":"2016-08-04T14:34:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T18:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=40386"},"modified":"2016-08-04T14:34:00","modified_gmt":"2016-08-04T18:34:00","slug":"renowned-protein-analyst-speaking-at-brock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/08\/renowned-protein-analyst-speaking-at-brock\/","title":{"rendered":"Renowned protein analyst speaking at Brock"},"content":{"rendered":"

The human body contains about a hundred trillion cells. Within each cell are many thousands of different kinds of proteins.<\/p>\n

Proteins interact with each other and other molecules, for example DNA. These interactions trigger the vast number of different cell functions. In other words, proteins are the \u201cwork horses\u201d of cells enabling the myriad of cellular functions at the molecular level.<\/p>\n

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Biological Sciences Seminar Series have invited Olaf Jahn, one of the leading protein analysts in the world, to discuss his research on Friday, Aug. 19, 2:15 p.m.,\u00a0in MC H313. The event is open to everyone in the Brock community and all are encouraged to attend this international research presentation.<\/p>\n

Jahn is with the Proteomics Group, Max Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, G\u00f6ttingen, Germany.<\/p>\n

\"Olaf

Olaf Jahn<\/p><\/div>\n

Jens Coorssen, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, says the presentation is a rare opportunity for the larger Brock community to connect with a top calibre international researcher from Germany\u2019s renowned Max Planck Society, an organization that funds a network of 83 institutes and research facilities known for excellence in a full range of academic fields.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Jahn is one of the key players in large-scale protein analysis, globally,\u201d says Coorssen who held a Fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (Heidelberg). \u201cAnalyzing proteins is the only direct route that we have to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy vs disease states.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proteomics \u2014 the large-scale study of proteins \u2014 is a rapidly growing field of modern molecular biology\/physiology and the cornerstone of Systems Biology, adds Coorssen.<\/p>\n

\u201cResearch in this field is focused on understanding normal functions and dysfunctions \u2014 that is disease states \u2014 at the molecular level, enabling identification of key molecular components and their critical roles,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

Jahn is a founding member and current speaker of the G\u00f6ttingen Proteomics Forum. The organization was established in 2004 as a local network of scientists of the Georg-August-University, the University Medical Center G\u00f6ttingen (UMG), and the Max-Planck Institutes (MPI) of Experimental Medicine and Biophysical Chemistry with the common interest in the analysis of proteins by mass spectrometry.<\/p>\n

In addition to his talk, Jahn will be touring Brock\u2019s research facilities and will meet informally with faculty and student researchers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis visit has great potential for conversations that can lead to research linkages with Dr. Jahn, his colleagues and the range of Max Planck Institutes,\u201d says Coorssen.<\/p>\n

Jahn\u2019s particular specialty is in neuroproteomics that focuses on studying the complex mysteries of neurological diseases. Drug addiction, neurodegeneration, brain injury and nerve growth are some examples of areas in which neuroproteomic research approaches are being applied.<\/p>\n

Jahn\u2019s field of interest is in:<\/p>\n