Discovery Proteomics and Food Allergens: Opportunities and Challenges for Identification and Characterization

Description:
Discovery proteomics techniques that leverage advanced protein mass spectrometry (MS) methods present a distinctive approach to the analysis of proteins from allergenic foods. Thorough identification and characterization of food allergen proteins forms the foundation of our understanding of these unique food safety hazards. At the same time, however, there are numerous allergenic foods for which scant proteome data are available. In addition, there is only a surface-level understanding of the actual proteoforms present in food products containing allergens, which have generally undergone some type of food processing. MS methods offer a unique opportunity to explore these food protein systems, but application of these approaches is not without challenges. This presentation will describe the approaches our laboratory has used to overcome some of these hurdles and characterize processed food allergen proteins.

Speaker: Melanie Downs - Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Melanie Downs is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Food Allergy Research & Resource Program in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research primarily focuses on the proteomics of allergenic foods, including the identification, characterization, and detection of food allergens using mass spectrometry. Dr. Downs also has research expertise in the development and evaluation of immunoassay methods for food allergen analysis and the assessment of food allergen controls. In addition to research, Dr. Downs also works with the food industry on a number of aspects of food allergen management, including development of allergen control programs, validation of allergen preventive controls, and application of food allergen detection methods.