New class of Maldi-Tof technology enables faster, more accurate protein identification
PerkinElmer and MDS Sciex have announced the development of a unique technology advancement for proteomics, the Protof 2000 Maldi-Tof mass spectrometer for protein identification.
As the first single Maldi-Tof mass spectrometer with an orthogonal design, the Protof 2000 represents a substantial leap forward from conventional Maldi-Tof in mass accuracy and stability across a wide mass range, making possible much higher rates of successful protein identification.
The new technology was announced at the LabAutomation conference on emerging laboratory technology, held in Palm Springs this month (February).
The Protof 2000 is the result of a joint venture between PerkinElmer and MDS Sciex, a collaboration to advance tools for proteomics. The partnership combines MDS Sciex's innovative and leading-edge mass spectrometry technology with PerkinElmer's expertise in proteomics, sample preparation technology, reagents, front-end chromatography, and intelligence software.
"This proprietary technology will provide customers with improved instrument performance across all parameters on a platform that is more stable than any current product," said Peter Coggins, president of PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences. "The Protof 2000 overcomes key productivity barriers in traditional Maldi-Tof protein identification with higher mass accuracy, better low-abundance identification, integrated bioinformatics, and easier-to-use software." The Protof 2000 enables an increased level of precision in peptide mass fingerprinting, allowing for more accurate matching and identification, while minimizing the need to run samples multiple times.
In addition, Protof 2000 will provide the user with a software platform, Tofworks, that integrates sample tracking, database search results and customised reports in an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.
Sampling flexibility has been provided for plate sizes ranging from 96- to 1536-wells, providing a high degree of freedom in sample preparation.
The single-use Maldichip disposable plates provide a convenient way to standardise sample preparation, minimise the chance of cross-contamination from a previously used plate, and store recently run samples. Demonstrations and customer sample measurements are scheduled to begin in April, with system deliveries targeted to begin later in the spring.
The Protof 2000 is an integral part of PerkinElmer's complete suite of precision proteomics products.
Other components of this suite include: Proxpress proteomic imaging system - an advanced multi-colour fluorescence imager capable of highly sensitive detection and quantitation of low-abundance proteins in 2D gels.
Progenesis 2-D image analysis software - a software package designed to automate and accelerate the laborious process of 2D gel image analysis, the major time-limiting step in proteomics workflow.
Proxcision proteomics gel cutting robot - specifically designed for high-precision excision of discrete spots from 2-D gels and bands from 1-D gels. Multiprobe II proteomics workstation - the Multiprobe II Proteomics Workstation is an automated system for high-throughput, in-gel digestion, sample cleanup, and Maldi spotting.
