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360º PERSPECTIVES | ISSUE 7 | 2020/2021
Drs Lizex Hüsselmann and Ashwil Klein standing next to the Bruker ultrafleXtreme MALDI-ToF mass spectrometer instrument.
University unit offers research services to bio-economy » A partnership in the specialised field of proteomics has been steadily growing between the University of the Western Cape and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
P
ROTEOMICS INVOLVES THE USE OF A NUMBER OF TOOLS AND EXPERTISE to profile and
identify proteins of interest in any organism. Proteins are the functional or operational units in cells and often include biomarkers for certain diseases or
physiological/ developmental status. UWC’s National Agricultural Proteomics Research and Service Unit (NAPRSU) provides agricultural and biotechnology researchers and private companies with proteomics research capability. The unit is self-sustainable and generates revenue through industry-linked projects and diagnostic services offered to internal and external clients. The small NAPRSU team is led by Dr Ashwil Klein, the group leader of the Plant Omics Laboratory. The day-to-day
