Mass spectrometry system with sample preparation for single-cell and high-throughput proteomics

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 575602482

University Medical Center Greifswald (UMG) and University of Greifswald (UG) are pooling their resources to establish an up-to-date proteomics platform that will serve research projects in the Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. To date, UMG and UG only operate mass spectrometers primarily suited for the analysis of cell mixtures, tissues, tissue sections, and biofluids. However, a highly sensitive system capable of analysis of even the smallest amounts of material from laser microdissections or single-cell isolation is lacking. The main goal of this project is therefore to permanently establish the capabilities for single-cell research at UMG and UG and to strategically advance the proteomics platform accordingly. A second major field of application is the high-throughput measurement of samples from population-based cohorts. The proposed configuration combines state-of-the-art liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and is specifically designed for the ultra-sensitive analysis of extremely small sample amounts, particularly in the realm of single-cell proteomics. In addition to the LC-MS/MS configuration, an advanced sample preparation system is being applied for, enabling automated isolation and preparation of single cells for a wide variety of single-cell omics strategies, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The system will enable researchers to gain deeper insights into cellular processes at the molecular level, which is highly relevant for main research priorities addressed in Greifswald such as infection biology, microbiology, cardiovascular medicine, and community health research, as well as for cancer research which has recently been integrated in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in a state-funded Comprehensive Cancer Center. The introduction of this new system will significantly enhance the research infrastructure for the projects of these research networks and enable investigations not only of the protein patterns of tissues or cell populations, but also of specific cells and cell types. Numerous recent findings demonstrate that this can lead to significant advances in cell biology and biomedicine, including personalized medicine. Moreover, the increased throughput now achievable with proteomic analyses paves the way for the analysis of cohorts such as SHIP for the very first time. This would enable Greifswald to build on its notable achievements in genome-wide association studies, an area in which its research groups have long been established partners in national and international collaborative consortia, by expanding expertise specifically in the field of proteomic analyses. In summary, the central acquisition of this LC-MS/MS system would significantly enhance the research capabilities of numerous research groups active within the German Health Centers (DZHK, DZNE, DZKJ, DKTK), collaborative research centers (SFBs), and research training groups (GRKs).

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Massenspektrometrie-Systems mit Probenvorbereitung für die Einzelzell- und Hochdurchsatzproteomics
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Greifswald
• Leader: Professor Dr. Uwe Völker