High-resolution microscopy image

Coscia Lab

Spatial Proteomics

Profile

The quantitative analysis of proteins in space and time, the building blocks of life that dictate health and disease, is key to our molecular understanding of severe diseases, such as cancer. Tumors are comprised of multiple cell types and phenotypic cellular states, which are often spatially organized in the complex tissue microenvironment. Studying these diverse cell types and their dynamic interplay on a global, quantitative and unbiased scale, requires novel multimodal concepts on the basis of interdisciplinary, translational research.

Our translational research group develops and applies mass spectrometry (MS) based proteomics workflows for spatially-resolved systems biology. For this purpose, we use a combination of analytical tools including multi-level proteomics (expression-, interaction- phospho-proteomics) and functional cell biology assays.

We have recently co-developed Deep Visual Proteomics, a first-of-its-kind concept that combines high-resolution imaging, AI-guided image analysis and ultra-sensitive MS-based proteomics. Applied to preclinical models and archived biobank specimens, this concept allows us to gain unprecedented insights into cellular proteome heterogeneity.  

As part of the Berlin-centered Research Node ‘MSTARS’ (Multimodal clinical mass spectrometry to target treatment resistance), our MDC group closely collaborates with the Berlin Institute of Health, the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and the Humboldt University and the CHARITÉ. MSTARS, which is funded by the German Ministry of Science and Technology (BMBF) combines a broad range of complementary proteomic, metabolomic and imaging-based technologies with computational approaches for next-level patient care. 

Our long-term vision is to decipher molecular and cellular disease pattern that can be used as predictive measures in precision oncology.

Team

From left to right: Di Qin, Jeannine Engel, Fabian Coscia, Janett König, Anuar Makhmut, Jose Nimo, Sonja Fritzsche

 

Group Leader

         Short CV

  • June 2021: Principal Investigator ‘Spatial Proteomics Group’
    Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2017-2021: Post-Doc, Mann lab (Clinical Proteomics)
    University of Copenhagen (NNF Center for Protein Research)

    From 2019: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 2012- 2016: PhD candidate (Dr. rer. nat.), Mann lab
    Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
  • 2009-2011: Master of Science Molecular Biotechnology
    TUM Munich, Germany.

PhD student

PhD student

PhD student

PhD student

Technical Assistant

Secretariat

Master student

Publications

Lab news

 

 

May 14, 2023: Our lab's first preprint is online! :-)

Congrats to the entire team and our first author Anuar. We describe a scalable workflow for ultra-low input FFPE tissue proteomics. Our microscopy-guided proteomics approach shows that single-cell analysis from FFPE tissue is principally achievable! A great basis for many biomedical applications in the near future.

St Nicholas Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2022​​​​

Our group co-organized a Berlin networking event at the Charité, together with the Ralser, Demichev and Muelleder labs

The event was held on December 8th with over 150 participants from the Berlin area

New autumn group picture

 

First lab retreat 2022

One full day of kayaking, swimming and relaxing. Exploring the beautiful nature around Berlin.