SBIR-STTR Award

This project is to develop a new technology to obtain sequence information on proteins separated by 2D-gel electrophoresis. This instrument will be capable of sequencing multiple samples simultaneously, with greater sensitivity than that obtained with current technology. These features will greatly increase the efficiency of sequencing the many proteins that may be present following the 2I)-gel electroDhoretic separation of complex protein mixtures, for example for analysis of the proteins present in a cellular Iysate. The key components that distinguish the proposed instrument from commercial models are: utilization of piezoelectric droplet generators for the precise delivery of small volumes of reagents; utilization of a two-of-flight mass spectrometer for detection of the sequencing products; and, the capacity for sequencing multiple samples simultaneously.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Successful completion of the proposed research will culminate in commercially available, automated, multi-sample, 21)-Gel protein sequencer unit for the biochemical industry.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

This proposal describes the development of a new technology to obtain sequence information on proteins separated by 2D-gel electrophoresis. This instrument will be capable of sequencing multiple samples simultaneously, with greater sensitivity than that obtained with current technology. These features will greatly increase the efficiency of sequencing the many proteins that may be present following the 2D-gel electrophoretic separation of complex protein mixtures, for example the analysis of cellular lysate. This sequencer design is unique in terms of the solvent and reagent delivery valve system, the concept of having the samples chambers and conversion flasks on separate, rotating discs that rotate from one delivery valve to the next, the ability to sequence multiple samples simultaneously, and the utilization of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for detection of the sequencing products. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: Successful completion of the proposed research will culminate in commercially available, automated, multi- sample, 2D-Gel protein sequencer unit for the biochemical industry.

Thesaurus Terms:
biomedical equipment development, gel electrophoresis, protein sequence electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, nonclinical biomedical equipment, protein purification mass spectrometry