Clinical proteomics and metabolomics

The clinical mass spectrometry group develops novel analytical mass spectrometry-based concepts for metabolome and proteome analysis of human body fluids and tissues. These concepts are used to investigate metabolic / protein alterations and lipid modifications in dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Targeted high-throughput approaches based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and linear ion trap (LIT) technology have been developed for application in large-scale cohort studies (e.g. LIFE-Heart and LIFE-Adult) and the systems-biological modulation of metabolic pathways. The mass spectrometry assays fulfil quality criteria in accordance with DIN EN ISO 15189:2014 and DIN EN ISO 17025:2005. The group has the expertise to translate in-house developed methods into routine clinical applications and to implement them. The systems currently available comprise an API 4000, QTRAP 5500, QTRAP 6500, and QTRAP 6500+ (Sciex).

The main research topics of the group are:

1. Steroid hormones: analytical concepts and translation into clinical routine application (Dr. Alexander Gaudl)

2. Obesity and lipid metabolism of the brain (Madlen Reinicke, M.Sc.)

3. Analytical concepts for targeted proteomics and translation into clinical routine application (Dr. Julia Dittrich)

4. Targeted and non-targeted omics approaches for tissue and cell culture application (Dr. Ilijana Begcevic Brkovic)

Mass spectrometry assays are available for the following metabolites / proteins:

• apolipoproteins
• eicosanoids
• polyunsaturated fatty acids
• oxysterols
• steroids
• sterols
• amino acids, acyl-carnitines
• endocannabinoids

Currently the group is conducting collaborative projects within Leipzig University and with both national and international external institutions; it is funded by the German Research Foundation (CRC1052), the federal state of Saxony and the European Union.

1. ​Ceglarek U, Dittrich J, Leopold J, Helmschrodt C, Becker S, Staab H, Richter O, Rohm S, Aust G. Free cholesterol, cholesterol precursor and plant sterol levels in atherosclerotic plaques are independently associated with symptomatic advanced carotid artery stenosis. Atherosclerosis 2020; 295:18-24.

2. Dittrich J, Beutner F, Teren A, Thiery J, Burkhardt R, Scholz M, Ceglarek U. Plasma levels of apolipoproteins C-III, A-IV, and E are independently associated with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis 2019; 281:17-24.

3. Dittrich J, Adam M, Maas H, Hecht M, Reinicke M, Ruhaak LR, Cobbaert C, Engel C, Wirkner K, Löffler M, Thiery J, Ceglarek U. Targeted On-line SPE-LC-MS/MS Assay for the Quantitation of 12 Apolipoproteins from Human Blood. Proteomics 2018; 18:1700279.

4. Gaudl A, Kratzsch J, Bae YJ, Kiess W, Thiery J, Ceglarek U. Liquid chromatography quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry for quantitative steroid hormone analysis in plasma, urine, saliva and hair. J Chromatogr A 2016; 1464:64-71.

5. Burkhardt R, Kirsten H, Beutner F, Holdt LM, Gross A, Teren A, Tönjes A, Becker S, Krohn K, Kovacs P, Stumvoll M, Teupser D, Thiery J, Ceglarek U, Scholz M. Integration of Genome-Wide SNP Data and Gene-Expression Profiles Reveals Six Novel Loci and Regulatory Mechanisms for Amino Acids and Acylcarnitines in Whole Blood. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005510.

Students interested in completing their thesis or practical work in our research group should please contact Prof. Dr. Uta Ceglarek.