From Chemistry Roots to Biological Insights

Dr. Huang’s scientific journey began with a strong foundation in chemistry. Both of my parents graduated with physics degrees and were high school teachers; they helped guide me. raised in China,she initially majored in analytic chemistry,influenced by the emphasis on pure science during her college years.

Her interest in the intersection of biology and chemistry took root during her Ph.D. studies at the University of Florida with Dr. Robert Kennedy, now at the University of Michigan. It was there that she began to explore the possibilities of applying chemical techniques to biological questions.

Dr.Huang’s postdoctoral training at the University of California, san Francisco, with Dr. Al Burlingame, proved pivotal. Here I fell in love with mass spectrometry, or MS, an analytical technique used to identify atoms or molecules within a sample. Surrounded by biologists, she began to integrate mass spectrometry with biological inquiries. Burlingame entrusted her with a project focused on studying protein complexes using MS, a project that others had reportedly overlooked.

Building an Self-reliant Research Career

Transitioning to an independent researcher role at UC Irvine’s Department of Physiology and Biophysics presented new challenges. During my postdoc, I had many collaborators, but when I came here, I was told I could not build my independent career on collaborations alone. This prompted her to define her research focus and develop essential biochemical skills.

Despite not having formal training in biochemistry, Dr. Huang immersed herself in learning protein purification and other biochemical techniques. Looking back, this was important for my career growth.

Unlocking Protein Interactions with Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry

Dr. Huang’s lab focuses on developing technologies to address biological problems, a mindset instilled by her Ph.D. advisor. This has positioned her lab as a leader in crosslinking mass spectrometry (MS),a technique used to identify protein-protein interactions.

while crosslinking MS is not a new technique, it has faced challenges in sample planning, data acquisition, and analysis. Dr. Huang’s lab has been instrumental in overcoming these hurdles through the progress of new reagents,bioinformatics tools,and instrumentation.

These advancements have lead to the development of a series of new MS-cleavable crosslinkers to facilitate the detection and identification of cross-linked peptides. These reagents allow proteins to be linked together and then cleaved for easier identification during MS. The lab also focuses on targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system for cancer treatment.

The Broader Impact of Basic Research

Dr. Huang emphasizes the potential of basic research to translate into practical applications. We always hope that with basic research, a discovery could be translated into practical uses for diagnostics for early disease detection and/or improved therapeutics. We want to improve the health of the society becuase many people are impacted by disease.

Her lab is currently investigating protein-protein interactions in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease mouse models. The goal is to identify molecular signatures that could lead to new drug targets, which could then be tested in human samples. We hope that the identified molecular signatures could lead to new drug targets, then to testing human samples and to eventually new discoveries that could improve human health – but the process takes time.

Mentorship Beliefs

Dr. Huang’s mentoring style is shaped by her own experiences. She recalls how Dr. Burlingame accepted her as a trainee despite her lack of prior experience in mass spectrometry. He had an open mind to accept somebody without any experience in the research he carried out in his lab.

she has adopted a similar approach, prioritizing a trainee’s potential and willingness to work hard over prior experience. The most important thing is the potential of the trainee and their willingness to work hard to be successful. I do not need them to necessarily have experience. Now, most students come to me with biology experience, not chemistry. I’m very open-minded about these students to allow them to have the opportunity to learn and grow as a researcher.

Contributions to Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (MCP)

Dr. Huang’s involvement with the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (MCP) was influenced by her mentors, Drs.Ralph Bradshaw and Al Burlingame. Two of my professional mentors have been instrumental in connecting me with the journal – Ralph bradshaw and Burlingame. Bradshaw was the first editor-in-chief for MCP, and Burlingame later took over.

Her own research has also been featured in MCP. Additionally, some of my important papers have been published in MCP. For example, one paper is related to the first MS-cleavable crosslinker we developed, and it is one of the most cited papers from my lab. She notes that publication in MCP has substantially impacted her career.

As an associate editor for MCP, Dr. Huang contributes to the field from a different outlook. I feel very fortunate to have become an associate editor so that I can contribute from a different angle to the field. MCP is very rigorous on production, validation and data deposition to ensure the work can be reproduced. She values the journal’s commitment to rigorous standards and constructive feedback.

FAQ: Lan Huang’s Research and Career

• What is crosslinking mass spectrometry?

  A technique to identify protein-protein interactions by “gluing” interacting proteins together for analysis.

• What is the ubiquitin-proteasome system?

  A major cellular pathway for protein degradation, often targeted in cancer treatment.

• What is Dr. Huang’s mentoring philosophy?

  Prioritizing a trainee’s potential and work ethic over specific prior experience.

• Why is basic research important?

  It can lead to practical applications like diagnostics and improved therapeutics.