Applied Biosystems and MDS Analytical Technologies launch new mass
spectrometer for proteomics research
24 April 2009
Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies (NASDAQ:LIFE),
and its mass spectrometry joint-venture partner, MDS Analytical
Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS) (NYSE:MDZ), have
introduced the AB SCIEX TOF/TOF 5800 System, which they say is the
fastest, most sensitive MALDI-based mass spectrometer ever built.
This system, which is now commercially available, will help
researchers advance the discovery of biomarkers to improve the
understanding of diseases for potential use in a clinical setting, which
is part of the promise of personalized medicine.
The AB SCIEX 5800 System represents a significant advancement in
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
time-of-flight technology), which works by ionizing complex biological
samples and identifying the individual protein components by their
molecular weight.
This system enables researchers to identify up to 30% more proteins
at a rate that is 10 times faster than any other MALDI system on the
market, thereby setting the highest standard for protein biomarker
discovery, MALDI imaging and protein identification. This system,
combined with the release of a new processing software application,
ProteinPilot 3.0, is part of a complete workflow that accelerates
proteomics research.
By expanding the boundaries of protein discovery, the AB SCIEX 5800
System enables scientists to achieve in less than a day what takes more
than two weeks on other MALDI-based systems. This system is expected to
advance the discovery of new biomarkers that could potentially yield
more accurate and sensitive clinical tests in the future, which is a
high priority in the medical and scientific communities.
The AB SCIEX 5800 System enables the discovery of a wider range of
protein biomarkers, enabling scientists to identify and quantify more
proteins in complex samples faster than existing systems today.
Laura Lauman, President of Life Technologies Mass Spectrometry
Systems Division, said, “The ability to better understand diseases at
the protein level will ultimately improve diagnosis and help to create
more effective treatments based on an individual’s expression of
specific proteins that relate to a disease or a response to targeted
therapies. The AB SCIEX 5800 System delivers innovative, breakthrough
technology that provides a giant technological leap forward that will
help translate today's biomarker research into tomorrow's personalized
medicine.”
Andy Boorn, President of MDS Analytical Technologies commented, “We
have developed the most advanced MALDI mass spectrometer ever built. The
AB SCIEX 5800 System is another example of how Applied Biosystems/MDS
Analytical Technologies continues to innovate and develop best-in-class
instrument systems that form the backbone for complete workflow
solutions for biomarker and protein research. This is essential
technology for researchers to expand their protein studies.”
Mark Stolowitz, PhD, Director of the Proteomics Core Facility at the
Canary Center for the Early Detection of Cancer at Stanford University’s
School of Medicine, said, "Mass spectrometry will play a significant
role in our efforts at our new center for cancer research in discovery
and verification of protein biomarkers, contributing to the realization
of personalized medicine, which is closer than many people may think. We
chose the AB SCIEX 5800 System as our facility’s first proteomics
platform because it enables the breadth of applications we need to hit
the ground running. We will use its unique capabilities to address the
gap between biomarker discovery and clinical immunoassay to ultimately
impact patient care.”
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