Success Story

Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Spain

 

What is the focus of your lab’s research?

Our goal is to provide the research community at IRB Barcelona and their co-workers with state-of-the-art tools and methodologies for the MS analysis of a broad range of biological species, from large proteins and DNA to small molecules. The final purpose is to get insight into these molecules’ identity, structure, interaction with other molecules and biological function in order to help in drug design, protein mechanism elucidation and in the search for biomarkers. We have implemented methods specialized in top-down proteomics and we are pioneers in this MS strategy in Spain.

As a core facility, we are responsible for working with different biologic molecules, and we are required to change methods constantly and efficiently.

How does the TriVersa NanoMate® align with your research goals?

Originally, we purchased the TriVersa NanoMate® for its chip-based direct infusion mode for noncovalent interaction analysis, but we learned quickly that it could be applied to other areas of our research. Prior to using the TriVersa NanoMate®, the steps involved in collecting fractions were painful and time-consuming. With the TriVersa NanoMate®, we can run LC/fraction collection or infusion without changing the setup and wasting time with stabilization. We do not experience the problems typical with traditional nanoelectrospray sources.

One aspect of the TriVersa NanoMate® that impressed us was the ability to analyze complicated top-down samples with the LC compatibility. It is not possible to analyze these samples on an LC time scale, and the fraction collection capability allowed us to analyze in a way that was not possible previously.

To whom would you recommend the TriVersa NanoMate® for their research?

We use the TriVersa NanoMate® for everything; noncovalent interactions, top-down, middle-down, bottom-up, basic infusion, LC coupled to fraction collection. The instrument is useful in all of its different set-ups, especially without having to change sources and waiting for a stable spray.

The reliability of the system is one of the greatest benefits especially for people who have to change frequently between applications. We have found the spray sensing feature to be very valuable because we know our precious samples will not be lost.

Do you have any publications or presentations using the TriVersa NanoMate®?

Publication Highlight

Characterization of Human Sperm Protamine Proteoforms Through a Combination of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mass Spectrometry Approaches
Soler-Ventura et al. J Proteome Res, 2020, 19(1), 221-237. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00499
Identified the sperm protamine proteoforms profile, including their post-translational modifications, in normozoospermic individuals using a top-down MS approach and a proteinase-K-digestion-based bottom-up MS approach.

Other Publications
  • Arauz-Garofalo et al. Protamine characterization by top-down proteomics: Boosting proteoform identification with DBSCAN. Proteoms, 2021. DOI: 10.3390/proteomes9020021
  • Yero et al. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa substrate-binding protein Ttg2D functions as a general glycerophospholipid transporter across the periplasm. Comm Bio, 2021. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01968-8
  • Molnar et al. The histone code reader PHD finger protein 7 controls sex-linked disparities in gene expression and malignancy in Drosophila. Sci Adv, 2019. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7965
  • Nadal et al. Structure of the homodimeric androgen receptor ligand-binding domain. Nat Commun, 2017. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14388
  • Testoni et al. Lack of glycogenin causes glycogen accumulation and muscle function impairment. Cell Metabolism, 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.06.008
  • Izquierdo-Serra et al. Optical control of endogenous receptors and cellular excitability using targeted covalent photoswitches. Nat Commun, 2016. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12221
  • Pujol-Pina et al. SDS-PAGE analysis of Aβ oligomers is disserving research into Alzheimer’s disease: Appealing for ESI-IM-MS. Sci Rep, 2015. DOI: 10.1038/srep14809
  • Saez et al. Influence of PPh3 moiety in the anticancer activity of new organometallic ruthenium complexes. J Inorg Biochem, 2014. DOI: j.jinorgbio.2014.03.002
  • Borg et al. Spectral counting assessment of protein dynamic range in cerebrospinal fluid following depletion with plasma-designed immunoaffinity columns. Clin Proteomics, 2011. DOI: 10.1186/1559-0275-8-6

Marta Vilaseca, PhD