The Medical Research Council Immunochemistry (MRC) Unit, Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, UK (UOX)

Scientist in charge: Robert B. Sim

http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/immunoch/sim.html

Expertise and experience

The Medical Research Council Immunochemistry Unit at the Department of Biochemistry specialises in determining the structure and function of immune system proteins (e.g. complement, collectins, antibodies, cellular receptors) and their interactions with non-host materials.3,  The unit was founded by the Nobel Laureate, Rodney Porter and consists of 35-40 researchers and graduate students. It is incorporated into the Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, a large department with 500 researchers and graduate students. The unit specialises in determining the structure and function of immune system proteins (e.g. complement, collectins, antibodies, cellular receptors) and their interactions with non-host materials. This is a major element in determining biocompatibility of materials. The unit is equipped to study the interactions of immune system proteins (and other blood plasma and cellular proteins) with target surfaces of all types and to identify interacting proteins by proteomic (mass-spectrometry) and protein sequencing methods and by antibody-based and functional assays. It is also equipped to study adhesion/uptake of materials by mammalian cells in culture (light and fluorescence microscopy: fluorescence spectrophotometry and radioisotope measurements). The unit is funded by the UK MRC with additional funding from EU and UK charity grants, e.g. ImmunoTSE (EU QLK5-CT-2002-01044) and IMMUNOPRION (under negotiations), and collaborative grants with research groups in Armenia, Hungary, Belarus, funded by UK Royal Society.

Key equipment

Automated chromatographic isolation of proteins, up to g scale, high-medium-low pressure; specialised in affinity chromatography of human plasma and cellular proteins, possessing very wide range of affinity media including antibodies; Equipment to study macromolecular interactions between proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and synthetic polymers. Equipment includes microtitre plate readers (visible range, fluorescence, chemiluminescence), surface plasmon resonance (BiaCore), MicroCal VP-ITC microcalorimeters, radioisotope detectors. Protein identification by N-terminal sequencing and by tryptic peptide fingerprinting and mass-spectrometry (MALDI-ToF), and by immunoassay/ immunodetection; Chemistry of protein modification by fluors, radioisotopes and biotin; Specialised assay/detection systems for immune system proteins (complement system, collectins, antibodies, cellular receptors) and coagulation. Studies of particle adhesion/uptake by cells (phagocytosis): cell culture facility, light microscopy, confocal microscopy, FACs analysis.

Key scientific staff