Research
Improving biomaterial design at single-cell resolution
The Petelski Lab aims to leverage mass spectrometry proteomics towards revealing insights that can help build better biomaterials and therapeutics. We will quantify proteins in low-input samples, including single cells, in order to fundamentally understand the asymmetry of cellular behavior in the context of health and disease.
Single-cell proteomics is a cutting-edge field that focuses on the study of proteins at the individual cell level. This approach allows researchers to understand the complexity and heterogeneity of cellular functions, which is essential for developing targeted therapies and personalized medicine. By analyzing the proteome of single cells, scientists can gain insights into cellular behavior, disease mechanisms, and potential biomarkers.
Biomaterials, on the other hand, are designed to interact with biological systems for medical purposes, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. The integration of single-cell proteomics with biomaterials design can lead to the development of advanced materials that mimic the natural cellular environment. This synergy can enhance the efficacy of biomaterials in clinical applications, leading to better patient outcomes and innovative therapeutic strategies.
We aim to use single-cell proteomics methodologies towards the following areas:
Regaining proteomic homeostasis in dysregulated biological states.
Proteins are extremely dynamic structures, and their abundances are regulated through a balance of protein synthesis, folding, modification, and degradation. Such processes sustain cellular function and tissue integrity. In dysregulated states, this network of equilibrium is often disrupted – proteins may undergo misfolding, abnormal modification, or inadequate degradation. Our work aims to identify critical points of this broken network in the contexts such as cancer and musculoskeletal disease, to offer potential targets for restoring this proteomic balancing act through the lens of single cells, ultimately leading to improved and novel therapeutics.
Systematic relationships between biomaterials & cell function.
Biomaterials are ubiquitous in the the diagnostic and therapeutic applications, from targeted drug delivery to bone implants. However, how variations in these materials impact cellular processes is not fully understood. For example, changing the size of nanoparticles can influence how they interact with cellular membranes, are internalized, or trigger intracellular responses, ultimately affecting cell function. By employing mass spectrometry proteomics, we can gain insight onto how material characteristics shape the proteome landscape of single cels. Such understanding can enable more intelligent engineering of materials that can achieve desired therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse cellular responses.
Investigating tissue regeneration & cell differentiation.
Can we understand how to use the existing cells at the site of injury or breakage in order to reform the tissue to its previous capacity or function? By studying how resident cells can be guided by intrinsic cellular resources, we can minimize the need for external interventions. With mass spectrometry, we can identify and quantify the specific proteins and signaling pathways that are activated during wound healing or bone fracture, in order to gain insight on how to trigger natural regenerative responses.