Shimadzu Scientific Instruments and Perfinity Biosciences have developed the patent-pending Perfinity Workstation, which offers an automated solution for protein sample preparation and analysis.
The system generates the percentage of CV values under 10 for affinity selection, proteolysis and serum to peptides assay.
Utilising Shimadzu HPLC components in combination with Perfinity columns, the Perfinity Workstation provides users with fast, reproducible results through standardised columns and reagents, proprietary software and an automated workflow that eliminates human error and disjointed protein sample-preparation processes.
Currently, researchers are unable to obtain highly reproducible data on proteomics samples, often obtaining CV values well in excess of 10 per cent.
In addition, samples are prone to sample loss and contamination.
While automation removes bottlenecks, it is important that the automation produces quality results.
The performance of the Perfinity Workstation has been assessed by measuring the variation occurring at each step of the process: sample clean-up via affinity selection, digestion through immobilised trypsin and LC-MS analysis.
Coefficient-of-variation values reported at each step and for the entire assay are less than 10 per cent.
In addition, quality results are dependent on an understanding of binding kinetics, recovery, solubility, activity, retention and a variety of other factors.
Key to the value of the Perfinity Workstation format is accounting for these factors through an integration of columns, buffers and software, enabling users to shift their focus from workflows to answers.
By exploiting new separations technology, the Perfinity Workstation offers a complete, automated solution for protein sample preparation and analysis.
Not only does it reduce the time required to have peptides ready for LC-MS analysis (less than 10 minutes), it enables researchers to obtain consistent, high-quality results.
