Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Our IonKey column just reached 10,000 injections. It has been on our TQ-XS for over three years, running all sorts of samples, including loads of plasma extracts. What is your best injection number on a column? Do you track injections? What is the general lifetime of your columns? 260
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 29/05/2026It is worrying what people inject into their bodies. One in particular called CJC1295 DAC. The DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex, which is basically a maleimide moiety. This attaches to free cysteine residues.. Heavens knows where this thing gets attached to when injected.. Rather them than me! 🫣 110
Reposted by Richard KayPint of Science UK @pintofscience.uk · 01/04/2026Tickets for #pint26 drop in less that 2 weeks! We’re warming up with a taster event in Manchester on Mon 13 April. 🎫 Get your free tickets here (and complimentary drink) pintofscience.co.uk/event/sip-of... 📅 Pint of Science festival: 18 to 20 May @manchester.ac.ukpintofscience.co.ukSip of ScienceGet a taste of science! Join us for Sip of Science, the launch event for Pint of Science, at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. Enjoy a complimenta… 123
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Got my son with this beaut, courtesy of our electronic overlords.. 000
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Mind blown. The initial patent on Semaglutide ends on the 20th of this month! Other formulation patents exist till ~2033, but it's nuts how old it is and how relatively recently the indication changed from T2D to obesity! 020
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Question for the #proteomics people. When performing analyses of biotinylated proteins, have you found MS/MS proof of biotinylated amino acid residues?? Looking at a BirA mouse, and trying to find biotinylated GLP-I peptide in their gut.. 102
Reposted by Richard KayThe Journal of Physiology @jphysiol.bsky.social · 19/12/2025Constanza Alcaino et al. from @ims-mrl.bsky.social present this #SymposiumReview discussing #incretin hormones and #obesity 💉 🔎 🔗 Read the article here: physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/... 033
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 15/12/2025The next CamsPaMS ion exchange meeting is on the 22nd of January. MS talks in a pub with free pizza! First talk is on plasma proteomics changes in ex-situ perfused donor pig hearts. Identifying protein markers of successful transplantation. A fascinating story! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/camspams-t...eventbrite.co.ukCamsPaMS: The Ion Exchange, New Year, new management!Welcome to the third CamsPaMS evening event . Come join us for an evening of mass spectrometry talks, food and good company. 000
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 26/09/2025Where do injected peptide weight loss drugs end up in the body? What about known and currently uncharacterised peptides produced in the gut - where do they go? Want to help myself and Andreas Dannhorn from AstraZeneca try and find out how to do this? 111
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 15/08/2025Orbital Astrals and ZenoToFs are cool and all... But do you have Mass Specs?? Have a good weekend everyone! #teammassspec 180
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 13/08/2025I have a clearly glycosylated peptide, which I think is an elusive peptide I am after, but it gives almost no peptide fragments. I asked ChatGPT for some help interpreting glycopeptide MS/MS spectra, it generated this abomination.. I think our jobs are secure for a little longer yet... 271
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 07/08/2025The last ticket machine at Ely station printing the orange tickets has betrayed me. Printing out the stupid slippery QR tickets that are 2.5 times the size of the old ones... Grrr.. 000
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 29/07/2025An article on the Cambridge University website about a challenging peptide I have worked on for over a decade. @cabannon.bsky.social and the rest of the project team showed it was raised in plasma from patients with bile acid diarrhea and inflammatory gut diseases. www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...cam.ac.ukDiscovery of role of gut hormone in chronic diarrhoea could aid development of new tests and treatmentsHigh levels of a hormone found in cells in the gut could underlie many cases of chronic diarrhoea and help explain up to 40% of cases of patients with 110
Reposted by Richard KayChris Bannon @cabannon.bsky.social · 29/07/2025Interview on our published paper last week describing how an identified gut hormone is involved in symptoms of patients with chronic diarrhoea: www.cam.ac.uk/research/new...cam.ac.ukDiscovery of role of gut hormone in chronic diarrhoea could aid development of new tests and treatmentsHigh levels of a hormone found in cells in the gut could underlie many cases of chronic diarrhoea and help explain up to 40% of cases of patients with 032
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 24/07/2025And here is the paper on INSL5. LC-MS/MS analysis generated similar concentration data compared to an ELISA. The peptide circulates at 100's of pg/mL in disease state, and almost undetectable in control individuals. 031
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 22/07/2025Well - we finally found insulin like peptide 5 in blood using LC-MS/MS. Have been working on this since 2013 - when at my old lab! It is raised in patients with bile acid diarrhea - and when you dose bile rectally... Paper just accepted in Gut - will be out soon! Stil very low ~ 100 pg/mL 240
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 11/06/2025Anyone interested in using mass spectrometry to identify and quantify peptides and proteins in plasma, tissue and organoid cell systems? I have a Research Assistant position in my lab at the Institute of Metabolic Science - Metabolic Research Laboratories. Apply here: lnkd.in/dCxhS3GNlnkd.inLinkedInThis link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn 175
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 04/06/2025Happy world bike day! 19 mile bike followed by a 5km run with the Ely Tri Club gang. Nice end to the day. 011
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 04/06/2025It is World Bicycle Day today!!! Glorious but windy here in the Fens. Get out and pedal if you can. Great for fitness and mental health! 031
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 18/05/2025Question for the triple quad users out there. Has anyone used the precursor ion scan mode to identify sialic acid containing peptides using the oxonium ion m/z of 274.09 as the product? Have only used precursor ion scan function twice in 25 years of using mass spectrometers... #teammassspec 030
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 15/05/2025Great to have been part of this research, and good news that trials are underway on drugs to help reduce the symptoms of HG. 020
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 29/04/2025Trains were stuffed back to Ely from Camvridge today, so what should you do?? Go down the pub with friends and talk about mass spectrometry over a few beers!! 110
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 07/04/2025An interview of my colleague @cabannon.bsky.social discussing the kind of work we are supporting at the @ims-mrl.bsky.social Using LC-MS/MS to analyse gut peptides in blood is a real challenge - but a fascinating one. Hopefully we can use this technique to improve the diagnosis of GI disease. 001
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 29/03/2025Typical.. first time we have had a partial solar eclipse and it's really sunny here in the UK. Thank heavens for Skymaps.. Mad that so many planets are in view.. maybe the fifth element will be needed soon... 000
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Winners of the amino acid quiz at the CamsPaMS Ion Exchange got a unique prize.. A tin of Alphabetti Spaghetti... Rimmer would not be happy! 020
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 21/03/2025The first CamsPaMS evening session - The Ion Exchange went off with a bang last night. An amino acid based quiz and ice breaker followed by a proteomics talk and then gut hormone peptidomics talk. The knitted gut went down well! Look out for the next one! 050
Reposted by Richard KayPint of Science UK @pintofscience.uk · 19/03/2025✨ TWO MONTHS TO GO until #pint25 ✨ 📍 45 locations across the UK 🔬 Hundreds of passionate scientists and motivated team members 🎯 Bringing science to you 🗓 19th-21st May 2025 Be first to know when tickets go live: 👉 eepurl.com/TbbVX 🗺Locations pintofscience.co.uk 02620
Reposted by Richard KaySteve Sweet @stevemsweet.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Our Translational Proteomics team is recruiting a Senior Scientist! We're based in Gaithersburg, MD, USA. A great opportunity to apply your skills to clinical trial samples, helping to develop new oncology drugs. Please share! astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers/job/...astrazeneca.wd3.myworkdayjobs.comSenior Scientist, Translational Proteomics, Global Mass SpectrometrySenior Scientist, Translational Proteomics, Mass Spectrometry Introduction to role Do you have a passion for Translational Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry? We are looking for a bold scientist to impa... 079
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 17/03/2025The second CamsPaMS conference is fast approaching. Come join your fellow mass spectrometrists at the gorgeous Babraham institute for a free meeting on the 3rd of April. www.eventbrite.com/e/camspams-2...eventbrite.comCamsPaMS 2: Cambridge Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry MeetingCamsPaMS is back! Join us for more talks and networking focused on proteomics and MS taking place in and around Cambridge. 043
Reposted by Richard KayDaniel Fazakerley @dfazakerley.bsky.social · 12/03/2025We have a postdoc position available in our team to undertake a UKRI-funded project to develop a new cultured skeletal muscle model for studying glc metabolism and insulin action. www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50597/ @ims-mrl.bsky.social Please RT. Please email if interested.jobs.cam.ac.ukPost-doctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of CambridgePost-doctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. 277
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025“Words Matter” – Rethinking the Language of Obesity. Using respectful, non-stigmatizing language (like “people living with obesity” instead of “obese people”) creates a more supportive, science-based conversation. Stigma only makes it harder for people to seek help. 132
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Researchers at the @ims-mrl.bsky.social are trying to understand how signals between the mother and baby in pregnancy cause increased obesity risk, & whether changes in pregnancy eg increased exercise, can stop the inter-generational transmission of obesity risk. 👇 doi.org/10.1098/rstb... 013
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025@ims-mrl.bsky.social researchers are exploring how weight loss-through diet, precision medication, or surgery-can improve long-term health outcomes in children and adults. The Farooqi lab and colleagues showed setmelanotide can manage obesity in patients < 6 years old. doi.org/10.1016/S221... 012
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025 @ims-mrl.bsky.social studies have highlighted how the body adapts to weight loss by increasing hunger hormones, making it difficult to sustain long-term changes. #ObesityIsNotAChoice #WorldObesityDay #ChangingSystems #WordsMatter 012
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025@ims-mrl.bsky.social research by Dr Sam Lockhart, MilanMuso and @stephenorahilly.bsky.social discovered some triglyceride in liver cells may prevent damage by cholesterol, suggesting we need to pay attention to the role of cholesterol in liver health. doi.org/10.1038/s422... #WorldObesityDay 033
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025@ims-mrl.bsky.social and Dept of Psychiatry, Cambridge research from Dr Stephanie Brown and Professor Paul Fletcher, showed that the volume of the hypothalamus is significantly increased in people who are overweight or obese 👇👇 doi.org/10.1016/j.ni... 022
Reposted by Richard KayInstitute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories @ims-mrl.bsky.social · 04/03/2025👉 @ims-mrl.bsky.social research on the incretin hormone, GIP, led by Dr Jo Lewis from the Gribble/Reimann lab explored how these natural signals impact weight regulation and appetite control. doi.org/10.1016/j.mo... #ObesityIsNotAChoice #WorldObesityDay #ChangingSystems #WordsMatter 011
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Since it is #worldobesityday and I work at the @ims-mrl.bsky.social I thought I would share some #proteomics work we have done on our @sciex.bsky.social 7600 ZenoToF. We had a #BMSS summer student last year, and he extracted and analysed plasma samples from lean and obese volunteers. 241
Reposted by Richard KayGiles Yeo @gilesyeo.bsky.social · 03/03/2025Anyone interested in working with me at Institute of Metabolic Science - Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, on how AMGEN's new obesity drug MariTide works? I have a 3 year postdoc position available! Deadline March 31st! please share www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50529/jobs.cam.ac.ukResearch Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of CambridgeResearch Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. 12419
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 02/03/2025The CamsPaMS team are looking to host a series of evening mass spectrometry seminars featuring talks by early career scientists. The seminar series will be called "CamsPaMS: The Ion Exchange", the first of which is on the 20th of March. 111
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 21/02/2025Our IonKey column has now passed 5000 injections. Most of these are plasma peptide measurements including CCK21-44, insulin, c-peptide, GIP 1-42, GIP 3-42 and the poorly researched Motilin peptide (all of which are mainly ~10 to 1500pg/mL). 161
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 09/02/2025Fen run this morning, shoulder is getting better (can now lift it past the Musk angle). Saw a family of deer in the field, and found a good puddle to clean off the mud. 110
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 07/02/2025The second meeting is available for booking! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it - being an average triathlete in Mallorca!! 011
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Just spent 30 minutes in an MRI machine. We are looking to measure gut peptides and see how they correlate with gut movement. Was really warm - and I fell asleep! 😂 I was a "healthy control" 😂 010
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 17/01/2025Our #Peptidomics analysis of MAFLD and MASH is out. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... We initially performed proteomics analysis of MASLD/MASH samples, but the data looked a little odd to me. We then performed a Peptidomics analysis and that showed what the weirdness was!onlinelibrary.wiley.comOxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatotic Liver DiseaseBackground Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a ris... 161
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 12/01/2025Frosty run in Ely today. Love running in the Fens. 010
Richard Kay @richard-kay.bsky.social · 10/01/2025Beautiful cold run in the Fens this morning -5°C. Camera photos never do sunrise justice 110