Fert-Bober Lab
The Fert-Bober Laboratory uses mass spectrometry to study proteins and post-translational modifications that are altered with disease state, particularly in cardiovascular diseases. We interrogate a variety of complex sample types including tissue, serum/plasma, cells and proximal fluids.
The Fert-Bober Lab develops and applies methods to clinical samples with the goal of improving early detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by understanding the underlying molecular and biological pathways, including how immune response is affected by disease. We also develop and apply methods to study the protein post-translational modification citrullination in a variety of sample types to better understand and exploit the role of citrullinated proteins in physiological and pathological conditions. These advances would not be possible without a collaborative research environment in which individuals are encouraged to pursue their own high-risk, high-reward ideas.
The Fert-Bober Laboratory is affiliated with the Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute and the Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute.
Personal Statement
Being able to quantify proteins and their post-translational modifications (PTMs), together with neo-epitope generation driven by PTM is my lab goal in the near future. Each modification results from a specific local physiological or pathobiological process. Identification of each modification, and the affected tissue-specific protein, may produce a unique disease-specific biochemical marker. Particularly, PTM, called citrullination and neo-epitopes to citrullinated sites in recent years have become increasingly appreciated. Our central philosophy is that such neo-epitopes can be utilized in translational medicine to estimate safety and efficacy in both preclinical models and clinical settings."
Justyna Fert-Bober, PhD
- Essential Cross-Talk Between Cardiomyocytes, Fibroblasts and Inflammatory Cells Through Citrullinoproteome Modulation
- New Markers for Pathogenesis of Ischemic and Nonischemic Heart Diseases in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Mechanisms Underlying the Atherosclerosis Plaque Development
Collaborations
External
- David M. Herrington, MD, PhD, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Cardiology
- Joan M. Bathon, MD, Columbia University Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
- Felipe A. Andrade, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Meet Our Team
Our shared passion is to decipher the role of protein arginine deiminases and citrullinated proteins within physiological and pathological conditions using advanced mass spectrometry encompassing molecular and cellular biology. We celebrate our different backgrounds and strengths, help each other with our weaknesses and together we create an environment of lively interaction and mutual respect.
Job Opportunities
The candidate will investigate whether citrullinated proteins or antibodies to citrullinated proteins can be used as biomarkers for the early detection of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Postdoctoral Scientist
The Fert-Bober Laboratory has a current opening for a Postdoctoral Scientist. This position will investigate molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development, regeneration and cardiac fibrosis using mass spectrometric-based proteomics methods for the study of proteins and their roles in cellular signaling events.
Research Associate I
The Fert-Bober Laboratory has a current opening for a Research Associate I. The position will pursue cutting-edge research pertaining to cellular and molecular mechanisms from inflammation to fibrosis in various cardiac disease with primary focus on post-translational modification, citrullination.
Fert-Bober J, Darrah E, Andrade F.
Immunol Rev. 2020 Mar;294(1):133-147.
Fert-Bober J, Venkatraman V, Hunter CL, Liu R, Crowgey EL, Pandey R, Holewinski RJ, Stotland A, Berman BP, Van Eyk JE.
J Proteome Res. 2019 May 3;18(5):2270-2278.
Geraldino-Pardilla L, Russo C, Sokolove J, Robinson WH, Zartoshti A, Van Eyk J, Fert-Bober J, Lima J, Giles JT, Bathon JM.
Rheumatology. 2017 Apr 1; 56(4):534-540.
Fert-Bober J, Giles JT, Holewinski RJ, Kirk JA, Uhrigshardt H, Crowgey EL, Andrade F, Bingham III CO, Park JK, Halushka MK, et al.
Cardiovasc Res. 2015 Nov 1; 108(2):232-242.
Contact the Fert-Bober Lab
Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion, Suite 3100
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048