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Mass Spectrometry Staff Highlight
The Mass Spectrometry Facilitylocated in the ASU Biodesign Institute provides mass spectrometry analysis to research groups at ASU and outside organizations requiring analysis of protein, peptides and small molecules.
KE operations and manager of the Mass Spectrometry Core
In 2002, Dr. Karr received a Wolfson-Royal Society Merit Award and became a reader in Biology at the University of Bath. In 2006 and 2010, he published the first functional genomic and evolutionary analyses of Drosophila and mouse sperm proteomes.
In 2008, he joined ASU’s Biodesign Institute, continuing his work on mammalian sperm proteomes. Dr. Karr has also led studies on Wolbachia in Drosophila, an intracellular microbe that affects sperm function and causes Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in infected males.
Jessica Sandler earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Arizona in 2018 and joined the Mass Spectrometry Core in 2020. She assists with proteomics sample prep, operates mass spectrometers like the LC-MS QTOF and MALDI rapifleX and manages the walk-up facility, where she trains and supports users.
In 2022, she completed her M.S. in Biology and was promoted to Research Specialist. Her main focus is proteomics, with expertise in sample preparation, running samples on the ThermoFisher Orbitrap Fusion Lumos and analyzing data using Proteome Discoverer.
Kyle Tucker earned his B.S. in Forensic Science from ASU in 2020 and joined the Mass Spectrometry Core as a Research Technician in 2023. His main responsibilities include instrument quality control, proteomics sample prep, lab organization, buffer preparation and inventory management.
He has experience running, maintaining and troubleshooting systems like the Agilent LC-MS QTOF, Thermo Altis Triple Quadrupole and MALDI rapifleX. Kyle is skilled in using the Tecan Resolvex A200 and Beadblaster 96 homogenizer for automated proteomics sample prep. He efficiently handles and processes samples such as gels, cell pellets, serums and tissues.
Qi Wang, Jerry Antone, Eric Alsop, Rebecca Reiman, Cory Funk, Jaroslav Bendl, Joel T. Dudley, Winnie S. Liang, Timothy L. Karr, Panos Roussos, David A. Bennett, Philip L. De Jager, Geidy E. Serrano, Thomas G. Beach, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, Diego Mastroeni, Eric M. Reiman and Benjamin P. Readhead
Abstract
The emergence of single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) is transforming Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. By integrating multiomics data, we can link cell subpopulations to broader disease contexts.
Introduction
Single-cell sequencing like snRNA-seq has advanced understanding of diseases like AD by revealing molecular changes across cell types. Microglial biology plays a crucial role in AD progression, but studies have not captured their activation signatures.
Result
Data reveals differentially abundant cell types in the Superior Frontal Gyrus of AD patients. Notable findings include links between AD risk variants and CR1 expression in oligodendrocytes and a unique AD-associated CD83 (+) microglial subtype.
This publication was co-authored by Dr. Tim Karr, the director of the Mass Spectrometry Core, which contributed to some of the research conducted.
