Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A method comprises: aspirating a sample through a needle capillary into a chamber having first and second windows, the capillary and chamber both affixed to a moveable robotic arm; causing a light beam generated by a light source that is affixed to the robotic arm to pass through the sample between the windows; detecting, using a photodetector that is affixed to the robotic arm, a quantity of the light that passes through the sample and the windows; determining an optical absorbance of the sample and a concentration of an analyte in the sample from the detected quantity of light; determining a quantity of the sample to dispense into an analytical apparatus based on the determined concentration; moving the robotic arm so as to cause the needle capillary to mate with an inlet port of an analytical apparatus; and dispensing the determined quantity of the sample into the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) a robotic arm; (b) a needle capillary coupled to the robotic arm; (c) a cell coupled to the robotic arm comprising: a housing; first and second windows disposed within the housing and defining a width of an internal chamber therebetween; a collimating lens optically coupled to the first window; a focusing lens optically coupled to the second window; an inlet port fluidically coupled to a first end of the internal chamber; and an outlet port fluidically coupled to a second end of the internal chamber; (d) a pump; (e) first and second tubings fluidically coupled, respectively, between the needle capillary and the inlet port and between the pump and the outlet port; (f) a light source; (g) a photodetector; and (h) first and second optical fibers optically coupled, respectively, between the light source and the collimating lens and between the photodetector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) a robotic arm; (b) a needle capillary coupled to the robotic arm; (c) a cell coupled to the robotic arm comprising: a housing; first and second windows disposed within the housing and defining a width of an internal chamber therebetween; a collimating lens optically coupled to the first window; a focusing lens optically coupled to the second window; an inlet port fluidically coupled to a first end of the internal chamber; and an outlet port fluidically coupled to a second end of the internal chamber; (d) a pump; (e) first and second tubings fluidically coupled, respectively, between the needle capillary and the inlet port and between the pump and the outlet port; (f) a light source; (g) a photodetector; and (h) first and second optical fibers optically coupled, respectively, between the light source and the collimating lens and between the photodetector and the focusing lens.

Abstract: A nano-flow fractionator apparatus, comprises: one or more sources of mobile phase solvent; a source of auxiliary solvent; a sample injection valve; a chromatographic column having an inner diameter of less than or equal to 75 micro-meters, a column inlet end and a column outlet end; a solvent fraction delivery line comprising: an inlet end that is configured to receive eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and an outlet end that is configured to dispense the eluate to each of a plurality of sample fraction containers; a fluid junction configured to receive the eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and to receive a flow of the auxiliary solvent that is delivered from the source of auxiliary solvent and to deliver the eluate and the flow of auxiliary solvent to the solvent fraction delivery line.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein-containing sample for analysis by mass spectrometry includes introducing the sample into a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel contains a reagent mixture including pre-measured quantities of an immobilized proteolytic enzyme, a reducing agent and an alkylating agent. The contents of the reaction vessel are activated by heating or by sonication.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining samples for proteomic analysis that utilizes pressure and a preselected agent to obtain a processing sample in a significantly shorter period of time than prior art methods and which maintains the integrity of the processing sample through the preparatory process. In one embodiment of the invention, a sample and an enzyme are combined and subjected to a pressure, preferably a pressure cycle range that varies between 0 to 35 kpsi, for a period of time of preferably less than 60 seconds. This process results in producing a sample suitable for analysis, which is preferably introduced to another analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometry instrument, or other device.

Abstract: An on-line method and system for obtaining samples for proteomic analysis that utilizes pressure and a preselected agent to obtain a processing sample in a significantly shorter period of time than prior art methods and which maintains the integrity of the processing sample through the preparatory process, and provides enhanced protein capture. In one embodiment of the invention, a sample and an enzyme are combined and subjected to a pressure, preferably a pressure cycle range that varies between 0 to 35 kpsi, for a period of time of preferably less than 60 seconds. This process results in producing a sample suitable for analysis, which is preferably introduced to another analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometry instrument, or other device.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an acceleration process for macromolecular fragmentation in liquid medium, in gel or in a solid support, by means of joint application of enzymes and ultrasounds, as well as isotopes. The macromolecules, in any of these liquids, are mixed with enzymes and inserted in a recipient (2) and exposed to an ultrasonic radiation field (1). The combined effect of the enzymes and of the ultrasounds allows accomplishing, in time ranges between 10 s and 600 s, the fragmentation of macromolecules or whole proteontes, with the correspondent formation of their constituent lower molecular units.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining samples for proteomic analysis that utilizes pressure and a preselected agent to obtain a processing sample in a significantly shorter period of time than prior art methods and which maintains the integrity of the processing sample through the preparatory process. In one embodiment of the invention, a sample and an enzyme are combined and subjected to a pressure, preferably a pressure cycle range that varies between 0 to 35 kpsi, for a period of time of preferably less than 60 seconds. This process results in producing a sample suitable for analysis, which is preferably introduced to another analytical instrument such as a mass spectrometry instrument, or other device.