LC Microdispenser for High Resolution MALDI-TOF Analysis

描述(由申请人提供)：我们将构建一个LC微分配器系统，用于快速高效液相色谱和将消化的蛋白质样品高通量加载到MALDI-TOF MS靶标上。该系统将包括反相柱的自动制备，包括自动样品加载和集成到微型分配装置中。多流体打印头的容量将增加到20种不同的流体，以增加多个样品的产量和/或允许不同的层析处理。该系统将最大限度地保存样品体积，并结合多肽的快速LC分离，通过减少离子抑制来改进MALDI-TOF MS分析。通过对酿酒酵母中低丰度蛋白的检测和多肽质量指纹图谱分析，验证了LC微剂系统的功能和灵敏度。商业化工作将与我们的商业化合作伙伴：蛋白质组系统有限公司、岛津生物技术公司和米利波尔公司合作，与研究工作同时进行。 商业应用： 在快速发展的蛋白质组学领域，需要高通量的仪器来提高MALDI-TOF MS的灵敏度和动态范围，并导致低丰度蛋白质的多肽质量指纹图谱。有关蛋白质表达和翻译后修饰的细节可以揭示生物系统中对药物发现以及疾病和癌症的诊断和治疗有用的过程。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We will construct a LC Microdispenser system for rapid liquid chromatography and high throughput loading of digested protein samples onto MALDI-TOF MS targets. This system will incorporate automated preparation of the reversed phase column, including automatic sample loading and integration into the microdispensing device. The capacity of the multi-fluid print head will be increased to 20 different fluids to increase throughput for multiple samples and/or to allow for different chromatography treatments. This system will provide for the maximum conservation of sample volume combined with the rapid LC separation of peptides, resulting in improved MALDI-TOF MS analysis through a reduction in ion suppression. The function and sensitivity of the LC Microdispensor system will be verified by the detection and peptide mass fingerprinting of low abundance proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Commercialization efforts will be conducted in parallel with the research efforts, in collaboration with our commercialization partners: Proteome Systems, Ltd., Shimadzu Biotech, and Millipore Corporation. Commercial Applications: High throughput instrumentation that improves the sensitivity and dynamic range during MALDI-TOF MS and results in the peptide mass fingerprinting of low abundance proteins is highly desired in the rapidly developing field of proteomics. Details regarding protein expression and post-translational modifications can reveal processes within a biological system useful for drug discovery and the diagnosis and treatment of disease and cancer.