Differential mobility spectrometry enables high throughput plasma proteomics with deep coverage

Human blood contains a large collection of proteins that can provide insight for early detection and projection of disease. Global protein profiling is commonly enabled by mass spectrometry (or MS; a technology that identifies protein components by mass), but the identification of proteins in blood is challenging because of the sheer complexity of blood samples. To reduce sample complexity, protein mixtures are often simplified through liquid phase separations prior to MS detection. Yet, these separation processes are insufficient for simplifying complex proteins during fast clinical testing, leading to the detection of a small number of proteins. To address this challenge, researchers have included gas-phase separations, which separate molecules based on different properties than liquid-phase separations, prior to MS analysis. Differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) is one such gas-phase separation technique that can supplement liquid-phase separations by separating molecules based on a combination of properties, including size, structure, and charge. Here, the intern proposes a partnership with SCIEX, a Canadian leader in MS technologies, to combine SCIEX’s DMS device with state-of-the-art MS instruments to improve the quality of protein detection from blood.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anne-Claude Gingras

Student:

Partner:

SCIEX

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: