Bioinformatics solution combines and integrates data generated in the proteomics research workflow from complementary mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography technologies
At the 2004 Pittsburgh Conference in Chicago, Bruker BioSciences announced Proteomics Rims, a new proteomics research software environment based on modern web and database technologies, that features a novel approach to integrate different proteomic methods for transforming data into knowledge.
Proteomics Rims is a bioinformatics solution that combines and integrates the data, information and knowledge generated in the proteomics research workflow from complementary mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography technologies.
In addition, Proteomics Rims also provides access to proteomic interaction and structural data provided by SPR-MS (in collaboration with Biacore) and by NMR (in collaboration with Bruker BioSpin).
Proteomics Rims combines Bruker BioSciences's proven ProteinScape software for managing the workflow in expression proteomics, and Bruker BioSpin's SampleTrack Lims (laboratory information management system) applications to form the backbone of a data warehousing technology providing an environment of data, programs and links to databases to support efficient data analysis, research decision- making and knowledge generation in proteomics. Consolidating information across different platforms is a key to gaining in-depth understanding and to finding relationships and information in experimental data.
The information management part of Proteomics Rims covers instrument control, data acquisition, and the retrieval of data for documentation and archiving. Proteomics Rims enables the integration of all these functions and controls them from one single user-interface.
It informs about the status of the laboratory measurements and manages the application flow and activities within the laboratory.
In addition, Proteomics Rims also manages and integrates advanced data analysis and database search results.
Transforming data into information and turning information into knowledge is a major challenge for integrative bioinformatics, and is the key to understanding the complexities of biological and molecular clinical research.
Today, knowledge generation requires the integration of data from different sources.
Efficient interpretation, mining and managing of the huge amounts of data generated within proteomics maximises productivity.
Having more information from expression proteomics, interaction proteomics and structural proteomics at your fingertips enables better decision making in drug discovery and target validation. Proteomics Rims supplies the technological platform for storing, organising and analysing data and results of different experimental methods.
The following tasks are supported: data viewing, reporting and in-depth data analysis.
For different data analysis and interpretation strategies, Proteomics Rims supports the direct linkage to various Bruker software packages, eg TopSpin and Amix for NMR, Compass and MS BioTools for mass spectrometry, and Proteum for X-ray crystallography.
Moreover, easy access to various proprietary and public databases further increases the effectiveness of the proteomics discovery and validation process.
Proteomics Rims integrates mass spectrometry to detect and identify proteins, and also to obtain information regarding protein primary structures and their post-translational modifications.
Both, NMR and SPR are used to study protein-protein interactions, as well as the binding of small molecule inhibitors or promoters to proteins.
Finally, Proteomics Rims is used to determine the optimal use of X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, the two primary techniques for the determination of protein tertiary and quaternary structures, for structural proteomics, or to determine structure-activity relationships (SARs).
It is this kind of combined analytical and interpretation strategy utilising the data from several information-rich spectroscopic methods that allows for more advanced knowledge generation and helps to gain true insight into the complexity of proteomics and the life sciences.
"Proteomics Rims ushers in the next wave of proteomics research", explained Herbert Thiele, director of bioinformatics at Bruker Daltonics.
"Proteomics Rims is the logical consequence of Bruker BioSciences and Bruker BioSpin companies providing the entire range of systems solutions for protein MS, X-ray crystallography and NMR "The synergy of their combined and integrated usage is a major step towards increased productivity in drug discovery and target validation".
Frank Laukien, president and CEO of Bruker BioSciences, commented: "The new Proteomics Rims is a joint solution resulting from synergistic research and development efforts after the merger of Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS in July 2003.
"We believe that this integrated proteomics research solution uniquely positions Bruker BioSciences and its affiliates and partners as leading providers of high-information content tools for proteomics."
