On May 6, 2015, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU and the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington, announced a memorandum of understanding whereby the institutions formed the OHSU-PNNL Northwest Co-Laboratory for Integrated Omics).

The field of Integrated ‘Omics explores how genes, proteins and various metabolic products interact in health and disease. The term arises from research that explores a complement of biological components to understand how organisms work, such as genomics for genes, proteomics for proteins, and so on.

Historically, OHSU has been strong in genomics and this agreement will let them add proteomics to the mix. The co-laboratory, which expanded on existing individual collaborations, provided enhanced access to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instrumentation and technical expertise, as well as streamline workflow between the two organizations.

The organizations shared their research programs and leading-edge technology for biological mass spectrometry in pursuit of disease markers for new therapies.

Later in the year, the co-laboratory planned to begin work on several experiments related to developmental origins of health and disease, and stroke.