Protein Biomarker Identification Services
Protein Characterization Services

Our Technology

In this section
What is Mass Spectrometry?
Protea utilizes a new form of a powerful technology for protein identification, which we call "solution-based LC MS/MS".

Protea uses its technology to identify novel disease-specific protein "bio markers, that can be used in the development of new treatments and management of human disease.

We specialize in the identification of proteins that are differentially- expressed in normal vs disease-specific biological samples.

The identification of disease -specific protein biomarkers will enable Science to design better drug therapies and provide optimal treatments for individual patients.

A description of our protein identification technology
Proteins are identified using our solution-based mass spectrometry meethodology (LC-MS/MS). The protein mixtures are first proteolytically digested into small peptides of 6 to 20 amino acids in length. Then, the resulting peptide mixture is separated by nanoflow reversed phase (RP) chromatography, the eluting peptides directly ionized via microelectrospray ionization, and then analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using a ThermoFinnigan LCQ DECA ion trap. Mass spectra acquired are used to search databases and to identify known proteins. Once the proteins are identified from the disease-specific samples, a comparison of the proteins identified is performed, resulting in the identification of differentially- expressed candidate protein biomarkers.

Where appropriate, we employ other techniques , including, multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT), which utilizes 2 dimensions of chromatographic separation, strong cation exchange (SCX) and reverse phase (RP), before the peptides enter the mass spectrometer resulting in a reduction of the complexity of the sample.

We believe that this combination of methodologies represents the most sensitive methodology in the world for protein identification.