Acquisition of a mass spectrometry system coupled to a liquid chromatograph for biochemical analysis of complex biological samples containing molecules of high or low molecular mass of different chemical natures

• Grant number: 22/11535-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Technology and Innovation
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
• Grantee: Daniel Carvalho Pimenta
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Eliana Faquim de Lima Mauro

Abstract

This project aims to update and modernize the institutional mass spectrometry laboratory (facility) of the Butantan Institute. This laboratory is currently equipped with an LC-MS/MS and a MALDI-TOF-MS/MS system, both acquired through FINEP funding, in PRO-INFRA calls in 2007 and 2011, respectively. The equipment continues to function normally, and both have just been approved by the FINEP SOS-Equipamentos AV01 and AV02 public notice, respectively, to carry out corrective maintenance. However, the liquid chromatography system coupled to mass spectrometry has the (best) technology of 2007. Therefore, even after maintenance, it will remain restricted to the specification limitations in force for 15 years, which basically comprise issues related to sensitivity, data acquisition speed and narrow bore scale liquid chromatography (columns with an internal diameter of 2.1 mm). These factors together limit the analyses, preventing sophisticated proteomics experiments from being carried out. But the main limitation, from the point of view of meeting institutional demands, is the low sensitivity for performing de novo sequencing of peptide toxins derived from animal venoms and secretions. In this sense, the present project aims at the acquisition of a Q-TOF instrument, coupled to a micro scale chromatograph (and other accessories) with a main focus on the characterization of small molecules (peptides and organic/metabolomics compounds), areas in which the project coordinator works and collaborates extensively both within the Institute and nationally. The institute already has Orbitrap-type mass spectrometers installed and acquired through FAPESP calls (CeTICS/CEPID and CENTD/FAPESP-GSK) but these instruments are exclusively used for proteomics, failing to meet the demands of de novo sequencing and metabolomic analysis. That is why it is so important to update the facility's mass spectrometers so that we can continue to serve the scientific community in these mass spectrometry approaches. (AU)