Proteomics Lab

Advancing drug discovery through large-scale protein analysis and biomarker discovery

Overview

The Proteomics Lab plays a central role in drug discovery and development by identifying drug targets, characterizing drug–protein interactions and mapping signaling pathways. These efforts rely on careful experimental design, advanced instrumentation and comprehensive data analysis.

As a member of the Center for Drug Discovery and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Proteomics Shared Resource, Adam Hawkridge, Ph.D., advises and collaborates with VCU investigators applying proteomics in their research. His team supports quantitative proteomics workflows, instrument operation and data interpretation, and also provides instruction through a graduate-level proteomics course with a focus on mass spectrometry–based data analysis.

The research program led by Karolina Aberg, Ph.D., and Edwin van den Oord, Ph.D., seeks to reduce the burden of mental illness and substance use disorders by identifying molecular markers that can inform new medications and personalized treatment approaches. Areas of focus include autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder, suicidal behaviors and childhood trauma. Their work employs methylomic, transcriptomic and single-nucleus RNA sequencing analyses, as well as studies of brain-derived extracellular vesicles and laboratory protocol development using high-performance computing.

Members

• Lead: Adam Hawkridge, Ph.D.
• Karolina Aberg, Ph.D.
• Edwin van den Oord, Ph.D.