Advancing Biology with High-Sensitivity timsTOF AIP Mass Spec Proteomics Technology

Our facility is equipped with advanced mass spectrometry capabilities designed to help researchers answer complex biological questions. We specialize in deep proteome profiling and biomarker discovery, particularly for studies where sample quantity is limited.

Whether you are working with patient biopsies, micro-dissected tissues, or sorted cell populations, our platform provides the sensitivity needed to maximize data from your most precious samples. We can help you move your research forward in several key areas:

What Our Proteomics Platform Enables

• Analyze Scarce or Precious Samples: We can generate deep proteome profiles from minimal starting material, including applications for ng protein level analysis, laser-capture microdissections, needle biopsies, and other low-input samples. This allows you to explore the proteomes of rare cell populations or limited clinical specimens.

• Discover Low-Abundance Biomarkers and Regulators: The system's high sensitivity enables the detection and quantification of low-abundance proteins, such as transcription factors, kinases, and signaling molecules, which are often critical to biological function but missed by standard methods.

• Confidently Characterize Complex Biology: We can resolve highly complex biological samples (e.g., plasma, tissue) to identify and quantify thousands of proteins. This technology adds another dimension of separation, allowing us to distinguish between protein isomers and confidently identify post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, which are crucial for understanding protein function. 

• Scale Up Your Experiments: Our platform is optimized for robust, high-throughput analysis. This allows you to reliably analyze large sample cohorts—such as clinical groups or multi-condition time-course studies—giving you the statistical power needed for robust systems biology and biomarker discovery projects.

Our Technology

To achieve this, our facility utilizes a Bruker timsUltra AIP Mass Spectrometer (acquired via NIH S10 grant 1S10OD034300). This system combines Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TIMS) for enhanced separation with an Athena Ion Processor (AIP) that significantly boosts signal. This is coupled with a robust proteoElute nanoflow UHPLC system to ensure reproducible and high-throughput sample processing.

We invite researchers to consult with us on how these advanced capabilities can be applied to your specific biological research goals.