Mass Spectrometry in Molecular Medicine Course | IISER Kolkata | Prof. Amit Kumar Mandal
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 108 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Bioprocesses, Biosciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Decoding Disease: A Deep Dive into Mass Spectrometry for Molecular Medicine
In the quest to understand and combat human diseases at their most fundamental level, scientists are increasingly turning to powerful analytical tools that can reveal the intricate molecular details of biological systems. At the forefront of this revolution is Mass Spectrometry (MS). This sophisticated technology has evolved from a simple instrument for measuring atomic masses to an indispensable platform for probing the complex world of proteins, metabolites, and other biomolecules directly within the context of health and disease.
To bridge the gap between advanced research and practical education, Prof. Amit Kumar Mandal from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata offers a specialized 12-week course: "Mass Spectrometry and its Application in Molecular Medicine." Designed for senior undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, this course provides a comprehensive roadmap to harnessing MS for groundbreaking discoveries in healthcare.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Amit Kumar Mandal
Prof. Mandal brings over seventeen years of dedicated research experience to this course. With a PhD and postdoctoral training in Biophysical Chemistry, his independent research focuses on translating fundamental discoveries into clinical applications. His work centers on achieving a molecular understanding of human diseases, developing diagnostics, and exploring therapeutic opportunities. His expertise lies in elucidating the structure-function relationships of proteins critical in various diseases, employing a powerful arsenal of mass spectrometry techniques.
What You Will Learn: Course Overview
This intensive course is structured to take you from the core principles of mass spectrometry to its cutting-edge applications in modern medicine. The curriculum is meticulously designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into real-world research problems.
Core Techniques Covered:
- Soft Ionization MS (ESI & MALDI): The foundational techniques that made the analysis of large biomolecules like proteins possible.
- Tandem MS (MS/MS) & De Novo Sequencing: Learn how to fragment ions and piece together the amino acid sequence of unknown peptides, a crucial skill for proteomics.
- Clinical Proteomics: Discover how to use MS to identify disease-specific biomarkers from complex biological samples like blood plasma.
- Native Mass Spectrometry: Study proteins in their near-native state to understand complexes, interactions, and functional modifications.
- Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange MS (HDX-MS): A powerful method to probe protein dynamics, folding, and molecular interactions by measuring hydrogen exchange rates.
- Imaging Mass Spectrometry: Move beyond averages and learn to visualize the spatial distribution of molecules directly in tissue sections, creating molecular portraits of diseases like cancer.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Focus Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Fundamentals & Sequencing | Introduction to ESI/MALDI, spectral analysis, quantification, and principles of de novo peptide sequencing. |
| 3-4 | Clinical Applications & Proteomics | Diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies, bottom-up proteomics approaches, and case studies on nutrition (iron fortification). |
| 5-6 | Quantitative Proteomics & Biomarkers | Absolute quantification of proteins, biomarker discovery for toxicity and disease (e.g., suicide risk), and microbial identification. |
| 7-8 | Native MS & Protein Interactions | Analysis of hemoglobin variants, sickle cell disease mechanisms, protein-nanoparticle interactions, and ion mobility. |
| 9-10 | HDX-MS for Dynamics | Kinetics of H/D exchange, molecular insights into sickle cell inhibition, and in vivo structural analysis. |
| 11-12 | Imaging MS & Advanced Topics | MALDI Imaging of kidney and prostate cancer tissues, DESI imaging, and advanced footprinting techniques like FPOP. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideally suited for:
- Senior-level Undergraduate students in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or Medicine.
- Postgraduate (M.Sc./M.Tech) students specializing in related fields.
- PhD scholars and early-career researchers looking to incorporate advanced MS techniques into their work.
Prerequisites: A basic understanding of undergraduate-level Chemistry and Biochemistry is recommended to fully grasp the concepts.
Industry Relevance and Support
The practical skills taught in this course are highly valued in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The curriculum is developed with support from leading companies, highlighting its direct relevance to industrial R&D. Supporting industries include:
- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
- Syngene International Ltd.
- Biocon Limited
- Sun Pharma
- Waters India Pvt. Ltd.
- Bruker India Scientific Pvt Ltd.
This industry alignment ensures that the knowledge gained is not only academically rigorous but also directly applicable to careers in drug discovery, diagnostics development, and clinical research.
Essential Reading and Resources
To complement the lectures, Prof. Mandal recommends several authoritative texts, including:
- Protein Sequencing and Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry by Kinter & Sherman
- Mass Spectrometry: Principles and Applications by de Hoffmann & Stroobant
- Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry of Proteins by David D. Weis
- Key book chapters co-authored by Prof. Mandal on applications of HDX-MS and Sickle Cell Hemoglobin.
Embark on this 12-week journey to master the tools that are reshaping our molecular understanding of disease. This course by Prof. Amit Kumar Mandal is your gateway to becoming proficient in the application of mass spectrometry, a critical skill set for the next generation of scientists in molecular medicine and biotechnology.
Enroll Now →