Bruker launches next-gen MALDI-TOF/TOF system
spectrometer that offers improved sensitivity, resolution and mass
accuracy of TOF/TOF systems for expression proteomics, quantitative
proteomics and biomarker discovery.
Bruker's Ultraflex II includes features designed for the drug research and development process. These include peptide de novo sequencing, the analysis of post-translational modifications and top-down protein primary structure determination.
The Ultraflex II is suitable for proteomics research offering improved MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF performance for both peptides and proteins. The system is based on the modular design concept of Bruker's FLEX-series with an upgrade from TOF to TOF/TOF operation.
MALDI-TOF/TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-time of flight) technology has been adopted rapidly by the global proteomics community, as its tandem mass analysers provide a leap in the throughput rates achieved in protein analysis.
Advantages of MALDI-TOF/TOF technology include superb MS/MS sensitivity, sequence coverage and information content due to the inherent high-energy MS/MS fragment generation. At the same time, TOF/TOF tandem mass spectra can be acquired with unprecedented throughput and ease of use, and the results are straightforward to interpret automatically.
New features of the Ultraflex II TOF/TOF include improvements in MS and MS/MS sensitivity, proprietary panoramic mass range focussing (PAN) technology for MS mass resolution over a broad mass range measured under unchanged instrument conditions. This makes it suitable for full automation.
PAN provides resolving power values from 10,000 to 25,000 for peptides in the 800 to 6,000 Dalton mass range. The result is a MS resolution that yields better protein sequence coverage and higher success rates of protein identification.
Dr. Michael Schubert, vice president for R&D at Bruker Daltonics, stated: "Sensitivity even for a minute amount of samples and impressive mass resolution over a wide mass range makes the new Ultraflex II the instrument of choice for high-success expression proteomics and advanced biomarker discovery studies."
The Ultraflex II also incorporates a T3-sequencing capability, a novel and unique 'top-down proteomics' method for obtaining extensive structural information on intact, undigested proteins.
Its tunable laser speed from 1-200 Hz is suitable for high-throughput analysis as well as sensitive detection of labile protein modifications.
The Ultraflex II can be used with the new Prespotted AnchorChip, which target in industry-standard microtitre plate (MTP) format. These novel disposable MALDI targets are the next generation of the successful patented AnchorChip technology.
They provide the high sensitivity and reliable sample preparation without the risk of any cross-contamination that is inherent to reusable targets. With its pre-spotted matrix surface and calibrant spots, the Prespotted AnchorChips are particularly convenient for LC-MALDI applications.
The Ultraflex II can also be fully integrated into the Bruker Daltonics ClinProt clinical proteomics solution for high-resolution peptide and protein biomarker discovery, TOF/TOF biomarker identification and robust, reproducible large-scale biomarker validation.
Schubert added: "The Ultraflex II was designed without compromise as a MALDI-TOF/TOF with performance in linear, reflectron, MS/MS and top-down mode to enable sensitivity and accuracy in peptide as well as intact protein identification and structural analysis."
Bruker's LC-MALDI approach enables customers to identify low abundance proteins and characterize them in greater detail by MALDI-TOF/TOF. With the introduction of the Ultraflex II system, Bruker have further enhanced its credentials in MALDI-TOF and TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Bruker's technologies in combination with its wide mass range mode PAN provide solutions for TOF/TOF researchers investigating gene expression and clinical proteomics.
