EMU: Acquisition of a Xevo G3 Mass Spectrometer (upgrade) and specific components to enable its use for identifying peptides, proteins and metabolites (proteomic and metabolomic analyses)

• Grant number: 23/16822-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Grantee: Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Rogerio de Castilho Jacinto ; Rosemari Otton

Abstract

In this proposal, the aim is to exchange the EMU granted in the 2009 FAPESP Multi-User Call, a Xevo® G2 QTof Mass Spectrometer (Process 2009/53852-9), with an upgrade to the new Xevo® G3 QTof model. Our current equipment was installed in 2010 and since then has been serving countless users from different areas of Brazil and abroad. However, it shows considerable mechanical wear, as it has been operating continuously for 13 years. Its detector needs immediate replacement. In addition, Waters recently launched a new model, the Xevo® G3 QTof. When new launches are made, the manufacturing of components from previous models is stopped, so that in a short period of time there will be no replacement of parts for the current model. Thus, Waters will receive the Xevo® G2 QTof equipment as part of the payment (45%) for the Xevo® G3 QTof, which is a Hybrid Mass Spectrometer with a NanoElectrospray (ESI) type ionization source and two mass analyzers, one of which of them quadrupole and another Time-of-flight (TOF). The equipment is coupled to an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system, which allows high-resolution chromatographic separations, due to the small internal diameter of its columns. After separation, the UPLC injects the samples into the mass spectrometer. An important differentiating feature of the requested equipment is the ionization system (nanoelectrospray), which allows the injection of nanoliters of sample, increasing sensitivity and the chances of identifying the analyte. In this proposal, the aim is to exchange the EMU granted in the 2009 FAPESP Multi-User Call, a Xevo® G2 QTof Mass Spectrometer (Process 2009/53852-9), with an upgrade to the new Xevo® G3 QTof model. Our current equipment was installed in 2010 and since then has been serving countless users from different areas of Brazil and abroad. However, it shows considerable mechanical wear, as it has been operating continuously for 13 years. Its detector needs immediate replacement. In addition, Waters recently launched a new model, the Xevo® G3 QTof. When new launches are made, the manufacturing of components from previous models is stopped, so that in a short period of time there will be no replacement of parts for the current model. Thus, Waters will receive the Xevo® G2 QTof equipment as part of the payment (45%) for the Xevo® G3 QTof, which is a Hybrid Mass Spectrometer with a NanoElectrospray (ESI) type ionization source and two mass analyzers, one of which of them quadrupole and another Time-of-flight (TOF). The equipment is coupled to an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system, which allows high-resolution chromatographic separations, due to the small internal diameter of its columns. After separation, the UPLC injects the samples into the mass spectrometer. An important differentiating feature of the requested equipment is the ionization system (nanoelectrospray), which allows the injection of nanoliters of sample, increasing sensitivity and the chances of identifying the analyte. Given the scarcity of equipment with adequate configuration for proteomics and metabolomics analysis, as well as the high rate of maintenance due to them being highly sensitive, the upgrade proposed here is strategic. Thus, this proposal focuses on the resolution of several current research projects involving both proteomic and metabolomic analysis. The requested equipment will be installed in administrative region 7 of the State of São Paulo (Bauru) and, based on previous partnerships for the use of currently available equipment, will be able to serve associated projects in the Administrative Regions of Araçatuba, Barretos, Marília, São José do Rio Preto and the Administrative and Metropolitan Region of Sorocaba (Botucatu), where there are no mass spectrometers of any configuration, in addition to other interested parties that comply with the conditions of the Use Management plan presented. (AU)