Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying analytes in a sample can include (a) identifying and/or profiling the analytes; (b) identifying at least one divider analyte from the analytes; (c) dividing the analytes into groups using the at least one divider analyte; and (d) detecting and/or quantifying a first group of analytes ending with a first divider analyte by scanning and/or quantifying the first group of analytes until a first threshold of intensity of the first divider analyte is reached. The method can further include (e) switching to detect and quantify a second group of analytes starting with the first divider analyte by scanning and quantifying the second group of analytes until a second threshold of intensity of a second divider analyte is reached. The step e) can be repeated until each group is scanned and/or quantified.

Abstract: A method and a kit for enriching target nucleic acid sequences from a biological sample are disclosed. The method includes preparing, and contacting with the biological sample, a first RNA probe set and a second RNA probe set respectively and concurrently targeting both of the two antiparallel strands of a duplex segment in each target nucleic acid sequence. Each RNA probe in the first and second RNA probe set can be generated by chemical synthesis or by in vitro or in vivo transcription, and can be biotin-labelled to thereby allow capturing of the target nucleic acid sequences by magnetic beads labelled with streptavidin, or can be engineered to a microfluidic channel to facilitate the capturing. The method can be applied to capture double-stranded nucleic acid sequences or single-stranded nucleic acid sequences having duplex segments, and the nucleic acid sequences can include DNAs, RNAs, or DNA-RNA hybrid molecules.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a target peptide through a detection approach such as mass spectrometry is provided, including: introducing at least one guard molecule to mix with the target peptide; and applying the detection approach for the characterization of the target peptide. Each guard molecule is configured to have similar characteristics as the target peptide, yet is still distinguishable therefrom by the detection approach, such as having a mass spectrometry-distinguishable different M/z value compared with the target peptide. The method can be used to characterize a neoantigen peptide through mass spectrometry, upstream of which the method can further include steps for tissue sample preparation, HLA molecules enrichment, elution, clean-up, and purification. Some or all of these steps can be configured to be executed in a substantially automatic manner with little or no manual intervention. A system for implementing the neoantigen analysis method is further provided.