"Harnessing Mass Spectrometry to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Development"

Speaker:  Dr. Whitaker Cohn

Proteins, lipids, and metabolites are the dynamic cornerstones of biological function, offering a real-time window into the molecular events that drive a biological phenotype —providing insights far deeper and more immediate than those offered by genomic or transcriptomic data alone. However, the analysis of these key biomolecules is often hindered by their complexity and large dynamic range. This seminar will explore how mass spectrometry overcomes these hurdles, driving innovation in drug discovery and development. It will also highlight the state-of-the-art instrumentation and diverse analytical capabilities of the Mann School Multi-Omics Mass Spectrometry Core, enabling comprehensive analyses of proteins, lipids, metabolites, and drugs through targeted, untargeted, and mass spectrometry imaging approaches. Attendees will see how these technologies are applied at every stage of the drug discovery process — from identifying novel drug targets and facilitating high-throughput screening to profiling pharmacokinetics and elucidating molecular mechanisms of action. The seminar will also highlight the core's full range of support services, including expert guidance on experimental design, sample preparation, method development, data analysis, and manuscript and grant composition.

Do not miss this opportunity to discover how mass spectrometry can empower your research, drive groundbreaking advances in pharmaceutical sciences, and optimize therapeutic development and clinical decision-making.

Please contact Dr. Maryann Vogelsang (mvogelsa@usc.edu) or massspec@usc.edu for additional information.