Hosts, Microbes, Molecular Pharming, and More with Professor Jennifer Geddes-McAlister

On this episode of Translating Proteomics, Parag speaks with Professor Jennifer Geddes-McAlister from the University of Guelph. Professor Geddes-McAlister is an expert at using proteomics to study host-microbe interactions from a systems biology perspective. Her exciting work spans studies of pathogenic fungi all the way to engineering plants to produce pharmaceutics (so-called “molecular pharming”). On top of all that, Professor Geddes-McAlister also founded “Moms in Proteomics” to “support and encourage an intentional focus on the inherently unique physical, emotional, and biological commitments of Mothers, and the ensuing balance required to excel within the diverse STEM fields encompassing Mass-Spectrometry-based proteomics.”

Dive into this episode to:

• Learn why it’s critical to study hosts, pathogens, and molecular pharming from a systems point of view
• Discover what Professor Geddes-McAlister is excited about for the upcoming Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) conference
• Find out what “Moms in Proteomics” has planned for HUPO

Find this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro
01:39 – Professor Geddes-McAlister’s initial interest in host-microbe interactions
06:13 – Why it’s important to study host-microbe interactions
08:10 – Pathogens vs helpful microbes
10:06 – Thinking about microbes through the lens of “One Health”
14:34 – Why Professor Geddes-McAlister works primarily in proteomics as opposed to other omes
19:44 – Professor Geddes-McAlister’s favorite thing that she’s learned from the proteome and couldn’t learn from the other omes
24:56 – Molecular pharming
29:35 – The need for accessibility in proteomics
34:09 – The need for all-in-one workflows in proteomics
36:08 – HUPO 2025
39:56 – Moms in Proteomics
42:36 – The Future of Proteomics
43:59 – Outro

Resources:

• Geddes et al., 2015. Secretome profiling of Cryptococcus neoformans reveals regulation of a subset of virulence-associated proteins and potential biomarkers by protein kinase A
  Some of Professor Geddes-McAlister’s early work using proteomics to study pathogenic fungi
• Prudhomme et al., 2024. Bacterial growth-mediated systems remodelling of Nicotiana benthamiana defines unique signatures of target protein production in molecular pharming
  Researchers from Professor Geddes-McAlister’s lab use multiomic techniques to discover factors impacting the production of a pharmaceutical in an engineered plant
• Woods et al., 2023. A One Health approach to overcoming fungal disease and antifungal resistance
  Review on the importance of incorporating “One Health” principals into efforts to fight pathogenic fungi
• Moms in Proteomics website
  Learn all about the Moms in Proteomics initiative and its international community