EMU: Acquisition of a high-resolution mass spectrometer with an extended mass range for the analysis of antibodies, biopharmaceuticals, peptides, and metabolites.

• Grant number: 23/16643-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Small Medium Sized
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Keiji Tashima
• Grantee: Alexandre Keiji Tashima
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Zelanis Palitot Pereira ; Anita Mitico Tanaka-Azevedo ; Clovis Ryuichi Nakaie ; Eliana de Oliveira Serapicos ; Eliane Beraldi Ribeiro ; Kathleen Fernandes Grego ; Kil Sun Lee ; Luiz Mário Ramos Janini ; Marimélia Aparecida Porcionatto ; Reinaldo Salomão

Abstract

The Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Applied to Biomolecules (LEMBio) is a multi-user center established at EPM/UNIFESP and specialized in analyses based on mass spectrometry. Since its inception, LEMBio has served a broad range of researchers and their research projects. However, the currently used mass spectrometers have been in place for over 10 years, and during this period, there has been significant technological advancement in equipment and analytical methods. New technologies have substantially increased the levels of detection and quantification of analytes. Additionally, the speed of data acquisition has significantly improved, and acquisition modes have evolved, allowing the development of methodologies for fast selection of precursor ions for fragmentation, such as in data-dependent acquisition (DDA), or for the fragmentation of all precursor ions in a single cycle, as in data-independent acquisition (DIA). Options for targeted analysis when relevant analytes are already known are also available, as seen in TOF-SRM and TOF-MRM methods. To properly serve the researchers using LEMBio and enhance the quality of generated data, this project aims to modernize the laboratory by acquiring a new mass spectrometer. We plan the acquisition of a versatile equipment, capable of acquiring data in diverse acquisition modes and able to analyze a broad range of molecules, from small metabolites to macromolecules such as recombinant proteins and intact monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, the project aims to meet the growing demand for mass spectrometry analyses in the state of São Paulo, other states, from abroad and strengthen established international collaborations. The project intends to significantly contribute to advancing research in metabolomics, peptidomics, and proteomics, thereby elevating the quality and volume of scientific data generated by LEMBio. (AU)