Eukaryotic phytoplankton cells contain spatially distinct organelles (e.g. nuclei, chloroplasts) that house the different proteins involved in metabolism. Knowledge of the subcellular locations of proteins and their proximity to other proteins/substrates is crucial for understanding protein function within the context of metabolism. In this project, I aim to combine variations of “Localization of Organelle Proteins by Isotope Tagging” (LOPIT) methods with metalloprotein measurements to examine the proteomes and metal quotas of individual subcellular compartments in diatoms. Spatial knowledge of proteins can be used to gain deeper insight into novel protein function and intracellular elemental distribution, and will allow us to ask new questions about the interactions between proteins and metabolic rates, and ultimately biogeochemistry. 

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I am thankful to Waller Lab and Kathryn Lilley's group at the University of Cambridge for sharing their spatial proteomics knowledge. 

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