Mass spectrometric system with single-cell-sensitivity for quantitative proteomics

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 518551069

A system is requested for a Core Facility for analysis of proteomes of very small sample amounts, which are typically present in single cells. The system consists of a nano-ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (nano-UPLC), including an autosampler, and a high-resolution tandem mass spectrometer (hr-MSMS) with an electrospray-ionization (ESI) source an ion mobility module as well as necessary software modules. A very high sensitivity is required also for analysis of very small sample amounts derived from the 3-dimensional tissue µ-sampling via laser ablation (3-MiTi-LAb). As replacement purchase of a discarded nano-UPLC-MSMS the requested system will also be used for analysis of larger sample amounts in the µg range for differential quantitative bottom-up proteomics, including label-free and label-based, e.g. SILAC or 16plex-TMT quantification methods, quantitative top-down proteomics for analysis of proteoforms, as well as for different types quantitative glycomics. Beside the operation of the system in the Core Facility, comprising 80 – 90 % capacity utilization, the group of Prof. Hartmut Schlüter will use the system for developing and improving the 3-MiTi-LAb technology as well as the analysis of proteoforms. The Institute of Tumor Biology, headed by Prof. Klaus Pantel, will analyze the proteomes of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Both groups in the future will not exceed 10 percent capacity utilization of the instrument system per each group.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Massenspektrometrie-System mit Einzel-Zell-Sensitivität für qualitative und quantitative Proteomik
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Hartmut Schlüter