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Introduction
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)-based proteomics is a critical tool for decoding the complexities of biological systems, enabling the discovery of novel biomarkers and advancing drug development. However, as the demand for high-throughput analysis grows, particularly in large-scale studies like biomarker discovery, traditional manual methods of protein sample preparation have become increasingly inadequate. The introduction of faster and more efficient LC-MS systems has further amplified the need for automation, driving researchers to seek solutions that can enhance throughput, reduce variability, and ensure consistent, high-quality data across a broad range of sample types, including cell cultures and biological fluids.
PreOmics® addresses these challenges with innovative automation platforms and kits designed for robust and efficient proteomic sample preparation. This blog article explores the benefits of automating protein sample preparation, highlighting PreOmics' key solutions: PreON®, APP96TM, and automation options for the renowned iST, ENRICH-iST, and PSI sample preparation kits on established automation platforms, including Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent, Opentrons, and more.
The Challenges of High-Throughput Proteomics
High-throughput proteomics involves processing large numbers of samples, often under tight timelines. The complexity of manual sample preparation, requiring meticulous handling, multiple steps, and careful management of reagents, poses significant challenges in proteomics research:
1. Labor-Intensive Processes: Manual methods are time-consuming, costly, and demand a high level of precision, increasing the likelihood of human error.
2. Reproducibility Issues: Variability in manual workflows can lead to data inconsistencies, making it difficult to compare results across studies, especially when targeting specific proteins.
3. Sample Contamination and Loss: Handling multiple samples increases the risk of contamination, lack of traceability, and sample loss, which can significantly impact the quality of results.
4. Labor costs as well as injury risks: From, for example, repetitive, multiple manual pipetting activities.
Automation has become essential to overcome these obstacles, especially for large cohort studies where reproducibility and throughput are paramount.
The Solutions: Automation with PreOmics' Platforms
PreOmics offers three primary solutions tailored to meet the varying needs of proteomics researchers:
1. PreON: Mid-Throughput, User-Friendly Automation
The PreON platform is designed for laboratories seeking a convenient, walk-away solution for proteomic sample preparation. With the ability to process up to 16 samples at a time and 32 samples per working day, PreON is ideal for mid-throughput applications. This platform supports multiple applications since it is compatible with iST, iST-BCT, and iST-NHS kits. The iST kit is suited for pelleted cells and precipitated proteins, the iST-BCT kit is tailored for purified proteins and biological fluids, and the iST-NHS kit supports up to 18plex TMT labeling for advanced multiplexing studies. PreON stands out for its ease of use, even for users with minimal experience in automation, offering a fully integrated system that handles everything from lysis to resuspension. Its all-in-one design eliminates the need for additional equipment, making it a cost-effective choice for laboratories looking to enhance their workflow with minimal setup.
2. APP96: High-Throughput, Scalable Automation
The APP96 platform takes automation to the next level, offering a high-throughput solution capable of processing up to 96 samples daily. Built around PreOmics' advanced in-StageTip (iST) technology, APP96 is particularly well-suited for large-scale studies that demand both scalability and reproducibility. This system is compatible with a wide range of sample types, including yeast, mammalian cells, insect cells, and biological fluids, making it a versatile tool in the proteomics toolkit. The iST kit on the APP96 efficiently processes pelleted cells and precipitated proteins, while the iST-BCT kit is optimized for purified proteins and biological fluids. The APP96 reduces intra-day and inter-day variability, ensuring consistent results across studies, especially for low protein inputs. Its compact design and integration of POPtipsTM for sample cleanup streamline the workflow, eliminating the need for centrifuges, positive pressure, or vacuum devices.
3. iST, ENRICH-iST, and iST-PSI Kits: Flexibility for Existing Automation Platforms
For laboratories that already have established automation systems, PreOmics offers high-throughput (HT) versions of iST, ENRICH-iST, and PSI kits, as well as specific protocols that are compatible with various automation platforms, including Hamilton, Beckman, Tecan, Agilent, Opentrons, and more. These kits allow for the easy integration of PreOmics’ high-quality sample preparation workflows into existing setups, enabling researchers to leverage the benefits of PreOmics technology without overhauling their current infrastructure.
The iST kits provide robust, standardized workflows that simplify complex sample preparation steps. They are available in both manual (8x or 96x) and high-throughput (HT) versions, with the HT versions optimized for larger-scale automated processes, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including cells, tissues, and biological fluids.
The ENRICH-iST kits are specifically optimized for serum and plasma sample preparation. These kits enhance the enrichment of low-abundance proteins, ensuring high sensitivity and specificity, which is particularly crucial in biomarker discovery. Like the iST kits, they are available in HT versions, which are designed for seamless integration into high-throughput automation platforms.
The iST-PSI kits are another versatile option (using a 96-well filter plate format), enabling effective processing of a variety of sample types on existing automation platforms. These kits come with comprehensive protocols that have been optimized for the most common automation systems, ensuring high compatibility and ease of use.
PreOmics facilitates the integration of these kits into your existing workflows by combining our chemistry/application expertise with close collaboration with automation partners, ensuring a smooth transition and reliable performance.
Conclusion
Automation in protein sample preparation is no longer a luxury but a necessity in the modern proteomics landscape. PreOmics' solutions, from the user-friendly PreON to the high-throughput APP96 and the versatile iST, ENRICH-iST, and PSI kits, provide researchers with the tools needed to overcome the challenges of high-throughput proteomics. By integrating these workflows into automated systems, laboratories can achieve higher throughput, greater reproducibility, and more reliable data, paving the way for biomedical and drug discovery research.
Whether you're scaling up your proteomics operations or seeking to improve the quality and consistency of your data, PreOmics offers the right solution.
