Advanced Proteomic Analysis
With three dedicated proteomics instruments and a variety of specialized services for qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins, we can offer you expert consultation and powerful, accurate proteomic assays for your research.
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Schedule With Us
To schedule proteomics services or to get more information about how we can work with you, view our rates and scheduling page or contact our core director:
Dr. Phil Gafken
Senior Director, Proteomics & Metabolomics shared resource
Taylor cone produced from electrospray ionization
A protein interaction map
Our Maximum Destroyer Ultra proteomics data processing computer
Taylor cone produced from electrospray ionization
A protein interaction map
Our Maximum Destroyer Ultra proteomics data processing computer
We use a bottom-up proteomics scheme to identify proteins. We carry out protein identification experiments on a variety of sample types, ranging from a single band observed on an SDS-PAGE gel to highly complex protein mixtures isolated from cellular lysates.
In our process, we digest protein samples with a protease, typically trypsin, and subject the proteolytic peptides to tandem mass spectrometry, or MS/MS. We then compare the resulting MS/MS data to protein databases via automated protein database searching to identify the proteins that contain the peptides detected by the mass spectrometer. Sample scales can range from sub-microgram up to hundreds of micrograms.
We perform a number of common quantitative analyses, including label-free quantification (area under the curve), spectral counting, stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and tandem mass tags (TMT). Each quantification technique has its own strengths, limitations and requirements. We can consult with you to help you determine the appropriate analysis for your sample type.
Phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation and ubiquitylation are common modifications we analyze, but analysis of other modifications is possible. Analyses we conduct range from peptide mapping experiments on a single protein to multiplexed, proteome-wide modification studies. We are especially experienced with qualitative and quantitative analysis of modifications on histones. Since there are over 300 known protein modifications, we advise investigators to consult with us during the design phase of the experiments in order to develop the appropriate strategy for mass spectrometric analysis of the modification.
We provide expertise in preparing samples, primarily proteins and peptides for mass spectrometric analysis. Our sample preparation services include enzymatic digestion of proteins in solution or in gel slices, and sample desalting and concentration. We also have extensive expertise in preparing samples, such as from serum or cell lysates, for multiplex quantitative analyses using iTRAQ and TMT isobaric chemical tags. High-performance liquid chromatography, or HPLC, purification is available for the purification and/or fractionation of protein and peptide mixtures via ion-exchange and reverse/basic-reverse phase separations. We also offer isolation and enrichment of phosphopeptides via metal-based affinity techniques. We encourage investigators to consult with us on relevant aspects of experimental design, such as estimating protein quantities needed for analysis and identifying contaminants that might inhibit analysis.
We maintain the following HPLC instrumentation:
- Dynamax SD-200 preparative HPLC (milligram scale) with ultraviolet-visible, or UV-Vis, single wavelength detection.
- Thermo Scientific Vanquish HPLC (1 µg to milligram scale) with UV-Vis multi-wavelength diode array detection.
- Michrom Paradigm HPLC (1 µg to 100 µg scale) with UV-Vis single wavelength detection.
Each HPLC is equipped with a fraction collector that can collect into a variety of formats, including deep or regular well 96-well plates and 15 mL tubes. The Dynamax HPLC is ideal for large-scale purification of synthetic peptides and peptide conjugation products. The Vanquish and Paradigm instruments are frequently used for basic reverse-phase fractionation of complex peptide mixtures that will be subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry and ion-exchange separations of globin chains for hemoglobin variant analysis. Contact us to inquire about the use of these instruments.
We maintain a Thermo Scientific Proteome Discoverer v2.5 (PD 2.5) for analyzing data from virtually all liquid chromatography electrospray ionization, or LC-ESI, data, including data from protein identification, quantification (including label-free, spectral counting, SILAC, TMT and iTRAQ data), and protein modification experiments. PD2.5 is operated on an OmicsPCs Maximum Destroyer Ultra desktop computer equipped with 36 processors/72 threads for high-speed data analysis. We also use the open-source software Skyline for the analysis of data from parallel reaction monitoring and selective reactive monitoring, or PRM and SRM. Investigators can receive assistance with downstream data analysis (e.g., significance testing, pathway analysis, protein interaction analysis) from us as well as from the bioinformatics team in the Genomics & Bioinformatics shared resource.
Users can view their results in either Microsoft Excel outputs or the Proteome Discoverer viewer, which will allow for filtering, sorting and downstream processing of the results. Please contact us for details about data processing, because we must construct experiment-specific workflows.
To download the Proteome Discoverer viewer, visit the software download and licensing portal and create an account. Then, download Proteome Discoverer and update existing software if needed (be sure to follow instructions on prerequisite software required to run Proteome Discoverer). A fully functional, trial version of Proteome Discoverer will be installed on your computer. After 30 days the trial version will only act as a viewer of output files. Proteome Discoverer is compatible with computers on Windows-based operating systems.
We periodically offer a week-long course on mass spectrometry-based proteomics taught by core Director Dr. Phil Gafken. The course is recommended for those who currently use proteomics or who plan to use proteomics in the near future. The course is intended to provide novice users with a solid understanding of the technology they could apply to their research.
The course covers the following topics:
- Basics of mass spectrometers
- Data acquisition; LC/MS
- Protein identification and quantification
- Characterizing post-translational modifications
- Analysis of complex mixtures
- Multiplexed quantitation
- Targeted proteomics
- Basis for database search algorithms
- Rudimentary analysis of proteomics data
- Preparing samples for mass spectrometry
The class is free to Fred Hutch employees. Space is usually limited. Contact Dr. Phil Gafken to learn more.
Other training resources
The ThermoScientific Orbitrap Ascend is the fourth generation in the Orbitrap tribrid mass spectrometer series. Like previous tribrid instruments, the Ascend combines quadrupole, ion trap, and Orbitrap mass analyzers into a single mass spectrometer. The Ascend, however, is equipped with two ion routing multipoles providing parallel analysis and increased speed of analysis. Detection in the Orbitrap has been improved to 45 Hz and detection in the ion trap has been improved to 50 Hz. Ultimately more peptides and proteins can be detected in a given time by the instrument. The Ascend is also outfitted with an improved electrodynamic ion funnel to reduce in-source fragmentation of labile compounds and to increase the sensitivity of fragmentation spectra. This will specifically benefit phosphoproteomics and immunopeptidomics analyses.
A field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) source is mounted on the Ascend. This provides gas-phase ion mobility separations to increase the signal to noise of ions detected by the mass spectrometer, resulting in improved data quality. The Ascend is optimized for accurate quantification of TMT (tandem mass tags) chemical labels used in multiplexed proteomics experiments. A ThermoScientific Vanquish Neo UHPLC is coupled to the Ascend through a ThermoFlex source operating at a typical chromatographic flowrate of about 300 nL/min.
Recommended uses: This system is primarily used for multiplexed quantification experiments, analysis of post-translational modifications, immunopeptidomics, and high-sensitivity label-free quantification experiments.
The ThermoScientific Orbitrap Ascend was funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Health Office of Research Infrastructure Program (S10OD030225)
The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Eclipse combines quadrupole, OrbiTrap and ion trap mass analyzers into a single instrument, called a Tribrid design, that provides high data acquisition flexibility and utility. The Orbitrap analyzer can obtain data at resolutions ranging from 7,500 to 500,000 (at m/z 200) with mass accuracy of <3 ppm. The unique design and data acquisition strategies allow the Eclipse to acquire data at 45 Hz with the ion trap and 40 Hz with the Orbitrap. A field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry, or FAIMS, unit is also mounted on the Eclipse. This provides gas-phase ion mobility separations to increase the signal to noise ratio of ions entering the mass spectrometer and to increase overall data quality.
Like the older generation Fusion, the Eclipse is equipped with synchronous precursor selection, or SPS, for selecting MS2 precursors for MS3 analysis to decrease the effects of precursor co-isolation during MS1, resulting in increased quantification accuracy for TMT and iTRAQ experiments. The Eclipse is also equipped with real-time database searching to increase the utility and success rate of MS3 quantification scans. A Thermo Scientific Easy-nLC 1200 UHPLC is coupled to the Fusion to provide liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, or LC-MS, at flow rates of 200 nL/min. to 800 nL/min. and at either conventional or ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography conditions.
Recommended uses: This system is primarily used for protein identification and quantification (SILAC, TMT, iTRAQ, label-free, spectral counting) of samples with very high complexity (e.g., lysates) and for global protein modification characterization (phosphoproteomics).
The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Fusion combines quadrupole, OrbiTrap and ion trap mass analyzers into a single instrument, called a Tribrid design, that provides high data acquisition flexibility and utility. The Orbitrap analyzer can obtain data at resolutions ranging from 15,000 to 450,000 (at m/z 200) with mass accuracy of <1 ppm. The unique design and data acquisition strategies allow the Fusion to acquire data at 20 Hz with the ion trap and 15 Hz with the Orbitrap.
The Fusion is equipped with SPS for selecting MS2 precursors for MS3 analysis. This feature decreases the effects of precursor co-isolation during MS1 to increase quantification accuracy for TMT and iTRAQ experiments. The Fusion is also equipped with collision-induced dissociation, or CID, higher energy collision-induced dissociation, or HCD, and electron transfer dissociation, or ETD. A Thermo Scientific Easy-nLC 1000 UHPLC is coupled to the Fusion to provide LC-MS at flowrates of 200 nL/min. to 800 nL/min. and at either conventional or ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography conditions.
Recommended uses: This is primarily used for protein identification and quantification (SILAC, TMT, iTRAQ, label-free, spectral counting) of samples with very high complexity (e.g., lysates) and for global protein modification characterization (phosphoproteomics).