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World’s First Human Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Atlas

SCIEX
5 Oct 2010
Kerry Parker
CEO

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Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), in collaboration with the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, WA, used next-generation AB SCIEX QTRAP mass spectrometry technology to create assays for approximately 20,000 human proteins, generating the world’s first human Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Atlas. This online database of mass spectrometry-based assays will be made publicly available and will help to accelerate protein analysis.

Scientists around the world can use this atlas to significantly advance biomarker research, protein-based drug development and fundamental biological and biomedical research. The MRMAtlas provides simple, validated assays expanding into never-before-seen areas of the proteome. This project involved ETH scientists led by Dr. Ruedi Aebersold, Ph.D., who will be featured in a November 9th live webcast of a technical presentation about the MRMAtlas.

The MRMAtlas is a new database that provides mass spectrometry-based assays to a large proportion of the human proteome, enabling researchers to minimize the tedious and time-consuming task of assay development. Many scientists see MRM assays as an improvement over current immunoassays, such as Western Blotting and ELISA, which use antibodies. Immunoassays can be very costly and time-consuming to develop and can have issues with specificity. The new database of MRM assays is similar to a large library of ready-to-go antibodies to specific proteins, but the difference is that hundreds of proteins and peptides can be detected and quantified in a simple mass spectrometry assay and without the issues of cross reactivity.

The development of the MRMAtlas was dependent on QTRAP technology, which uniquely combines in a single analysis the quantitative MRM capabilities of normal triple quadrupole systems, with advanced linear ion trap capabilities for protein identification and confirmation. This gives researchers a clearer picture of each assay and eliminates ambiguity, meeting the requirements of the scientists at ETH Zurich. The industry-leading sensitivity of the AB SCIEX QTRAP systems also means the scientists were able to develop assays to low abundant proteins in the proteome. Using synthetic peptides for the QTRAP technology to analyze, the scientists at ETH developed this comprehensive library of MRM assays with unprecedented speed of 100 peptides per hour.

Ruedi Aebersold, Ph.D., Professor, Institute of Biotechnology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
“MRM assays are set to change the world of proteomics. The MRMAtlas is a tool for advancing protein analysis. This accomplishment by a dedicated group of scientists is an important milestone and will improve our understanding of the analysis of the human proteome. We could not have developed the MRMAtlas as quickly and productively without QTRAP technology.”

Andy Boorn, Chief Operating Officer, AB SCIEX
“The adoption of AB SCIEX QTRAP systems to help create the MRMAtlas will unlock the real power of mass spectrometry for proteomics analysis. Scientists will now be able to analyze huge numbers of proteins in the human body all at the same time, which has significant ramifications for biomarker research and ultimately personalized medicine. The QTRAP systems are essentially the best triple quadrupoles available but with additional, unique capabilities. They continue to help deliver significant scientific results, such as this landmark MRMAtlas project.”

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Western BlottingWestern blotting equipment is used to transfer and identify specific proteins within a sample, reveal protein modifications, as well as give a semi-quantitative estimation of their concentration. Western blotting equipment includes all apparatus necessary to transfer proteins from gel to membrane and subsequent processing steps. Protein transfer can be performed by electroblotting with wet, semi-dry and dry transfer systems onto nitrocellulose and PVDF membranes. Blocking, washing and labeling of membranes follows, involving buffers, blocking reagents, blotting / incubation trays, labeling reagents, immunoblotting assays, antibodies and conjugates. Automated equipment for these steps is available to accelerate your lab workflow. Finally, detection and imaging of proteins can be conducted using gel documentation and imaging systems. Find the best western blotting equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. Assay assembly requires chip assembly, a delivery system and a detection and analysis method. Beneficial features of assay kits or automated systems include high-throughput, high speed and sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio.Compound LibrariesCompound libraries, or chemical libraries, are used in drug discovery for the identification of potential therapeutics compounds. Used in conjunction with high-throughput screening, the libraries of stored compounds are often generated for specific purposes as a drug target or disease model. Cheminformatics are commonly used when designing a compound library and software can be used to analyze the screening process.  Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.

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