ACRF Translational Reverse Phase Protein Array

The Capability

Reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology is a high-throughput antibody-based technique that allows for rapid exploratory proteomics on small sample populations. Similar to western blotting, proteins are spotted onto specialised glass slides, bound, blocked and probed with primary and secondary antibodies. The fluorescent levels are then accurately quantitated using a Zeptosens reader. It is a technology that is not currently available anywhere else in Australia; its unique position ensures extensive cross-disciplinary collaboration and interaction between researchers from the University of Melbourne, external researchers and relevant industry programs.

The University Platform

The Melbourne RPPA Platform is currently operated at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and will be housed in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre from June 2016. The Platform is operated as a parallel and complementary platform to the Victorian Centre for Functional Genomics (VCFG).

Services provided by the Melbourne RPPA Platform include:

• Access to over 300 experimentally-verified, highly specific antibodies for protein analysis, including targeted lists of signalling pathways
• Customised antibody validation on request
• Facility  perform arrays on researcher-provided lysates- any number of lysates can be screened
• Support to researchers at all stages of the screening process, including the development of grant proposals and early discussions about technical feasibility approaches with Group Leaders and researchers
• Provision of training for best practice experimental protocols
• Experimental analysis performed by a dedicated Platform bio-informatician
• Summary of outcomes and graphical interpretation for use in presentations

The ACRF Translational RPPA Platform is currently operated at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and will be housed in the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre from June 2016. The Platform is open access on a fee-for-service basis. For more information or enquiries, please contact Assoc. Prof. Kaylene Simpson.