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Implementation of a protein profiling platform developed as an academic‐pharmaceutical industry collaborative effort
Author(s) -
Végvári Ákos,
Magnusson Mattias,
Wallman Lars,
Ekström Simon,
Bolmsjö Gunnar,
Nilsson Johan,
Miliotis Tasso,
Östling Jörgen,
Kjellström Sven,
Ottervald Jan,
Franzén Bo,
Hultberg Hans,
MarkoVarga György,
Laurell Thomas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.200700816
Subject(s) - biomarker discovery , computer science , turnaround time , profiling (computer programming) , instrumentation (computer programming) , automation , biomarker , nanotechnology , translational research , proteomics , computational biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , biology , engineering , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , gene , operating system
As much attention has devoted to the proteome research during the last few years, biomarker discovery has become an increasingly hot area, potentially enabling the development of new assays for diagnosis and prognosis of severe diseases. This is the field of research interest where efforts originating from both academic and industrial groups should jointly work on solutions. In this paper, we would like to demonstrate the fruitful combination of both research domains where the scientific crossroads sprout fresh ideas from the basic research domain and how these are refined and tethered to industrial standards. We will present an approach that is based on novel microfluidic devices, utilizing their benefits in processing small‐volume samples. Our biomarker discovery strategy, built around this platform, involves optimized samples processing (based on SPE and sample enrichment) and fast MALDI‐MS readout. The identification of novel biomarkers at low‐abundance level has been achieved by the utilization of a miniaturized sample handling platform, which offers clean‐up and enrichment of proteins in one step. Complete automation has been realized in the form of a unique robotic instrumentation that is able to extract and transfer 96 samples onto standard MALDI target plates with high throughput. The developed platform was operated with a 60 sample turnaround per hour allowing sensitivities in femtomol regions of medium‐ and low‐abundant target proteins from clinical studies on samples of multiple sclerosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Several proteins have been identified as new biomarkers from cerebrospinal fluid and esophagus epithelial cells.