# Proof of principle for a Scalable Multiplex Proteome Quantitation Technology

> **NIH NIH R21** · LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER · 2020 · $183,750

## Abstract

7. Project Summary/Abstract
 The central dogma of biology describes fundamentals of molecular components DNA, RNA and
proteins. Translation of heritable information from nucleotide sequences into proteins comprises underlying
circuitry of all biological kingdoms. At the molecular level protein expression changes represent the primary
basis for phenotypic features and physiological diversity among all forms of life. In addition, perturbations in
protein expressions are root causes for many diseases. Recent technologies facilitate genome wide
quantitation of DNA or RNA in a day, and have become commonplace throughout biology and medicine. An
analogous method for rapid, inexpensive global scale protein quantitation is lagging. This proposal executes
proof of principle for seed components of an innovative proteome array technology that will measure protein
levels in a rapid, simultaneous, cost-effective, multiplexed and scalable format. The innovative method
ultimately allows quantitative proteome-wide protein determinations in a single assay, probing complex cellular
mixtures, paralleling current genomics throughput. This technology has impact for proteome scale queries: 1)
as a research tool to study molecular function of biological systems and 2) identifying changes in protein
expressions during disease. We also envision wider utility including proteome-wide-association population
analyses and clinical diagnostic applications. We foresee no limit with respect to target cell type, tissue or
species, and high reproducibility, linear range and sensitivity. This technology may also be used to quantitate
protein modifications, like phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, acetylation or amino acid polymorphism.
Methods: This proposal synergizes two established assay principles, facilitating a new technology for
quantitative whole proteome assay. We will engineer subsets of protein detection reagents, and test specific
identification of affinity paired protein targets within a complex pool.
Objectives:
1) Establish proof of principle using a novel barcoding technology for multiplex protein detection.
2) Generating a plurality of assays to demonstrate a path towards scalability for whole proteome coverage.
Future goals: a) After proof of concept is executed, decoding sufficient protein detection reagents will
generate a new tool to measure all ~20,000 human proteins simultaneously.
b) Subsequent assay deployment refining component specificities will be developed to simultaneously
quantitate proteomes of other species.
Agency relevance: This proposal defines a proof of principle and subsequently proof of scalability, for a novel
technology that will facilitate simultaneous whole proteome quantitation. Once in practice, this method will
have wide reaching impact for study of protein changes in complex biological systems. Proteome analysis will
accelerate molecular discovery underlying pathophysiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853832
- **Project number:** 5R21GM129653-02
- **Recipient organization:** LSU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Imran Mungrue
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $183,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853832

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853832, Proof of principle for a Scalable Multiplex Proteome Quantitation Technology (5R21GM129653-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853832. Licensed CC0.

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