Technologies

Technologies

Application of State-of-the-art Technologies, Chemistries & Knowledge – Proteome Sciences is your Trusted Biomarker Partner

Proteome Sciences employs the latest technologies and analysis techniques for our own research and development projects and for our clients through PS Biomarker ServicesTM fee-for-service outsourcing division for biomarker discovery, validation and rapid assay development.
 
We conduct either Peptidomics (suitable for small endogenous peptides) or Proteomics (suitable for biomarker discovery, validation and rapid assay development) work flows for analysis of samples at our ISO 9001:2008 accredited testing facility.

  • Mass Spectrometry (MS)
    • MALDI-TOF/TOF, ion trap, orbitrap and triple quadrupole platforms
    • MS2 and MS3 isobaric quantitation
    • SRM - Selected Reaction Monitoring
    • AQUA-SRM - Absolute Quantitation-SRM by heavy peptide
    • TMT-SRM - Absolute Quantitation-SRM by TMTheavy peptide
  • 1 and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis
    • GelC-MS
    • 2DE - narrow pH
    • 2DE Western blot
  • Liquid Chromatography (LC)
    • Ion exchange, reverse phase, affinity matrix
    • Microflow
    • Nanoflow
  • Immunoassay Tools
    • Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA)
    • Western Blot (1 and 2-Dimensional)
    • Immunohistochemistry
    • Multiplexed Bead-based Immunoassays


Proteome Sciences is at the very forefront of analytical techniques used for the study of Proteomics and Peptidomics. We have access to the latest most sensitive and accurate mass spectrometry instruments:
  • LTQ Orbitrap Velos
  • MALDI-TOF/TOF
  • TSQ Vantage


Tandem Mass Tag® (TMT®) Protein and Peptide Labeling

Proteome Sciences has a long and successful track record in discovering, validating and implementing biomarkers in many different sample types and across a diverse range of indications. At the heart of our approach is the use of the very latest and most sensitive mass spectrometry instrumentation and techniques, coupled with our own proprietary Tandem Mass Tags® that allow tighter control on analytical variability and rapid development of mass spectrometry assays for biomarker validation. TMT® protein labeling reagents and kits are commercially available exclusively from Thermo Scientific, and enable isobaric labeling of proteins extracted from cells, tissues and other biological samples for multiplexed quantitative measurement by mass spectrometry. Currently available in duplex and sixplex isobaric sets and a pair of isotopic reagents that all share the same chemical structure TMT’s are uniquely able to bridge between discovery and candidate verification work flows. Additionally, TMT’s are the only isobaric reagents offering a choice of site-specific chemistries:
    • NHS - primary amines
    • cys - free cysteine residues (reversible)
    • iodo - free cysteine residues (irreversible)*
    • hydrazine - aldehydes & ketones*

Leading proteomic research groups are adopting TMT reagents and recent technology developments provide improved quanitative precision when analysing complex proteomic samples (Ref 1). We continue to expand the range of TMT reagents and an 18-plex set will be available in 2012 for beta-testers.
Learn More About TMT

*Currently only available to beta-testers through Proteome Sciences plc






Proteomics

The Proteomics work flow allows for identification and measurement of the total protein content of cells, tissues and body fluids. The classical approach to analysis of larger proteins is firstly to digest them into smaller fragments, and following fractionation and separation of the digests, quantitation and identification of specific peptides. The use of Mass Spectrometry permits precise and reproducible quantitation of a vast array of proteins in the proteome.
Learn more about the Proteomics work flows available through PS Biomarker ServicesTM here.


Peptidomics

Peptidomics is the study of soluble native peptides and small proteins found in body fluids, primarily blood plasma and CSF. Invaluable information can be gleaned from measurement of these numerous soluble polypeptides, many of which are signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth factors and peptide hormones. There are also a multitude of other small protein and peptide fragments, many with undetermined function and many resulting from disease-specific proteolytic cleavage of other circulating proteins or cell surface associated proteins. These soluble fragments can also provide a wealth of information about disease state, drug efficacy or toxicity. Because the peptidomics method removes >99% of hyper-abundant proteins prior to analysis it has unrivalled sensitivity in biomarker discovery.
Learn more about the Peptidomics work flows available through PS Biomarker ServicesTM here.



References