Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies Releases Suite of Integrated Mass Spectrometry Solutions

Applied Biosystems and its joint-venture partner, MDS Analytical Technologies have announced the availability of a suite of integrated mass spectrometry-based solutions for conducting targeted quantitative proteomics studies.

Designed for Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies’ triple quadrupole and hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry systems, these solutions include software packages and consumables that can enable scientists to quantify proteins in biomarker research or cell biology.

These tools address the needs of scientists in industry and academia who are seeking to quantify many specific proteins and peptides in complex biological samples.

Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies’ targeted quantitative proteomics solutions are claimed to be uniquely positioned to deliver consistency along with simplified, one-touch accessibility to world-class technology across the entire workflow. These new tools include:

• mTRAQ™ reagents are chemical labelling kits for use in targeted proteomics experiments using MRM analysis that can be used to create global internal standards to provide an internal reference for every protein, peptide and post-translational modification in a sample, in a simple, one-hour step. Based on proprietary Applied Biosystems technology, mTRAQ reagents are designed to improve analytical reproducibility for quantitative experiments without the need for costly custom synthetic peptides.

• Scheduled Multiple Reaction Monitoring is a feature that focuses instrument cycle scans for specific analytes based on the timeframe that those analytes will be entering the instrument. In proteomics, this means the instrument can scan up to 10 times more peptides with better analytical precision and yielding more information about each one.

The Scheduled MRM™ Algorithm is part of Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies’ updated operating system, Analyst® 1.5 Software, which powers its mass spectrometry systems.

• MRMPilot™ Software is a new software program for use with Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies Q TRAP® Systems that enable development of MRM assays for peptides and proteins utilizing data acquired during discovery experiments.

MRMPilot Software automatically builds MRM assays and utilizes the MIDAS™ Workflow of the Q TRAP system for transition from discovery to validation. These assays complement existing widely used antibody-based assays, while requiring up to tenfold less time to develop and eliminating the need for purified proteins.

• MultiQuant™ Software is a new software package for use with Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies mass spectrometers that processes MRM data for quantitative information. The software can enable the efficient processing of many analytes and samples at the same time, with an emphasis on the requirements for processing protein/peptide quantitative workflows.