Leiden University Medical Centre has acquired four new mass spectrometry systems, as well as clinical proteomics sample preparation and bioinformatics solutions
Bruker Daltonics and the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) have announced an advanced research collaboration on biomarker discovery and clinical proteomics.
Building on the success of an earlier collaboration, LUMC has acquired four new mass spectrometry systems, as well as clinical proteomics sample preparation and bioinformatics solutions, from Bruker Daltonics. The LUMC will provide feedback on instrumentation, methods and software development for clinical research to Bruker Daltonics. Professor Andre Deelder, programme leader in the LUMC department of parasitology, explained: "As an extension of our already on-going collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, our (glyco-) proteomics group will be using a new esquire HCT high capacity ion trap mass spectrometer for glycan analysis.
"Another HCT ion trap will be used for proteomics work in general.
"We have had a high degree of success with our Ultraflex Tof/Tof mass spectrometer, and are now adding a second one.
"In addition, we will be installing an Apex-Q 9.4 Tesla hybrid Q-q-FTMS system incorporating the practical Esi/Maldi Combisource, and a ECD/IRMPD accessory for post-translational modification studies. "The Apex-Q and the second Ultraflex Tof/Tof will be used for clinical proteomics and glycoprotein research.
"Our group really values the high quality support and service we have received from Bruker Daltonics's applications laboratories in Europe." Rob Tollenaar, principal investigator in the department of surgery's translational research project, added: "We will use this highly advanced mass spectrometry platform within the framework of our comprehensive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker research programme for the analysis of serum and tissue samples.
"Our research is focused on the improvement of surgical cancer treatment, especially for colorectal, breast and gastric cancer, as well as cancer diagnosis.
"The department performs clinical research in phase I, II, and III studies, and laboratory research, including research in animal models.
"This novel mass spectrometry instrumentation will play an important role in clinical research here at LUMC." Frank Laukien, president and CEO of Bruker Daltonics stated: "Research scientists and clinicians see our ClinProt clinical proteomics system as a very powerful tool for biomarker discovery and the development of clinical proteomics assays.
"Our Maldi-Tof and Tof/Tof systems already have become an important molecular diagnostics research platform for peptide and protein biomarker panels that need the multi- channel measurement advantage of mass spectrometry. "Now, our ClinProt automation and bioinformatics solution can also integrate ultra-high resolution LC/FTMS." He continued: "We are very pleased to be working with leading proteomics scientists and clinicians like Professor Deelder and Dr Tollenaar in this rapidly developing field of clinical proteomics.
"It is our privilege to have excellent relations with the Dutch scientific and clinical research community. "Earlier, our first Apex-Q in Europe was acquired by the University of Amsterdam in a proteomics research collaboration, and now LUMC has placed the largest mass spectrometry order which we have ever received in the Netherlands for utilising high-field hybrid FTMS, Tof/Tof and ion traps for clinical proteomics research."
