H.C. TAI  LAB

The central focus of our laboratory is to understand the link between proteome damage (oxidation and misfolding), protein degradation, and age-related disorders (Alzheimer's disease). If we can prevent protein damage and enhance protein degradation, then we may be able to slow down aging or neurodegeneration. Here are our current projects:

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1. Studying pathological changes in the synapses of Alzheimer's disease patients

We are developing many new techniques for the study of synaptosomes isolated from human brain tissues. We combine transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, as well as fluorescence-activated synaptosome sorting and super-resolution imaging to understand the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.   

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2. Method development in mass spectrometry for better characterization of the metablome and proteome

We are developing methods for peptide quantification, metabolite detection, and glycoprotein enrichment.

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3. Developing next-generation therapeutic antibodies against Alzheimer's disease by targeting synaptic tau oligomers.

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Major equipment in the lab:

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1) Zeiss epifluorescence microscope equipped with Apotome (for optical sectioning) 

2) Agilent HPLC + Thermo LTQ mass secptrometer -- for small molecule and peptide LC-MS/MS analysis

3) Jasco bio-compatible HPLC -- for protein chromatography

4) Fully equipped clean room for cell culture and genomics experiments