DrFelicity Dunlop

Dr Felicity Dunlop is a Senior Research Fellow in Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences with expertise spanning proteomics, laboratory automation, biotechnology and analytical workflow development. Her work focuses on developing practical, reproducible analytical workflows and automation solutions that enable researchers to generate high-quality proteomics data from complex biological samples.

Dr Dunlop began her scientific career in biotechnology and therapeutic antibody development, holding senior scientific positions at Zenyth Therapeutics (formerly Amrad Corporation) and CSL. During this period, she developed expertise in antibody engineering, antibody humanisation and affinity maturation and contributed to multiple research programs that progressed to granted US and European patents.

Building on her experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, Dr Dunlop developed specialised expertise in laboratory automation, workflow optimisation and analytical method development. Her prior experience using KingFisher automation platforms within biotechnology workflows provided the foundation for establishing automated proteomics workflows at Deakin University.

At Deakin, Dr Dunlop established automated proteomics sample preparation workflows using KingFisher and Opentrons robotic automation platforms and developed integrated workflows incorporating sample preparation, quality control, data processing and researcher support. Her work has contributed to the establishment of Deakin's emerging proteomics capability, enabling researchers from diverse biomedical disciplines to apply advanced proteomic analyses to complex biological questions.

Dr Dunlop works closely with researchers and Higher Degree by Research students to support experimental design, sample preparation strategies, proteomics data interpretation, statistical analysis and data visualisation. Her aim is to help researchers generate meaningful biological insights and robust, high-quality datasets that support publications, grant applications, proof-of-concept studies and future biological discovery.

Her current interests include quantitative proteomics, extracellular vesicle biology, laboratory automation and analytical workflow development. She is particularly interested in improving the robustness, reproducibility and efficiency of biomedical research through automation, standardisation and data-driven experimental design.

Deakin Proteomics

Accessible Discovery Proteomics Built on Automated Sample Preparation

Deakin Proteomics helps researchers generate reproducible quantitative proteomics datasets through automated sample preparation, mass spectrometry and researcher-focused data analysis support.

Whether you are running a pilot study, generating preliminary data for a grant application or investigating biological mechanisms, we provide an accessible entry point into discovery proteomics.

Discovery Proteomics | Automated Sample Preparation | Researcher Training

• Automated sample preparation
• Quantitative DIA proteomics
• Raw data processing and quality control
• Data delivery through analysis software
• Researcher training and support

Researchers provide protein extracts prepared using established protocols (or collected samples can be processed from scratch with additional cost)

Why Sample Preparation Matters

Increased technical variation associated with manual sample preparation can reduce the ability to detect biological differences.  Meaningful signals can be lost in the background noise of the sample preparation.

Deakin Proteomics uses automated sample preparation workflows to minimise technical variation and improve detection sensitivity across samples, helping researchers get the most out of their samples.

Discovery Proteomics Made Accessible

Many researchers use Western blotting and other targeted protein assays to investigate biological change.  These same samples can be used for discovery proteomics.

Discovery proteomics provides a broader perspective by measuring thousands of proteins simultaneously.

Using Data Independent Acquisition (DIA), researchers typically quantify >3,000 proteins per sample for tissue samples and >6000 for cell culture samples, enabling identification of biological pathways, molecular processes and candidate targets directly from experimental data.

What We Provide

Automated Sample Preparation

• Automated protein processing
• Optimised digestion workflows
• Peptide quantification for consistent injection amounts
• Standardised sample handling

Quantitative Proteomics

• Discovery proteomics
• Comparative studies
• Pilot projects
• Preliminary grant data

Researcher Training

Researchers receive training and support to analyse and visualise their own datasets using approaches such as:

• Differential Protein Analysis
• Heatmaps
• Pathway Enrichment analysis
• Bubble plots 

Typical Workflow

1. Project consultation
2. Sample submission
3. Automated sample preparation
4. Quantitative proteomics
5. Data processing
6. Analysis training and interpretation

Contact

Deakin Proteomics

proteomics@deakin.edu.au