Towards high-throughput proteomics

Bruker Daltonics has forged a collaborative research and development agreement with the US Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Battelle Memorial Institute that will focus on the further development and commercialisation of methods for enhancing the dynamic range of Fourier transform mass spectrometry for high-throughput proteomics research.

The technique, known as Dynamic Range Enhancement for Advanced Mass Spectrometry (DREAMS), was originally developed by a group headed by Richard Smith at the PNNL's environmental molecular sciences laboratory. Under the terms of the agreement, PNNL will use Bruker's APEX-Q hybrid FTMS system to improve research capabilities at the EMSL, and to facilitate the development of DREAMS into a commercial instrument.

This latest alliance is the second between Bruker and Battelle/PNNL. In 2000, the two groups entered into a deal to co-develop a hybrid Q-q-FTMS system for data-dependent proteomics research.

Bruker assistant vice president Paul Speir said: "Our original CRADA with PNNL was extremely fruitful and helped produce a breakthrough commercial high-field hybrid FTMS system for 'shot-gun' and 'top-down' proteomics. We are very excited to continue this work with Dr Smith and his group at PNNL to advance the FTMS tools for high-throughput and high-information-content proteomics research even further​."