Product category:
Other analytical instruments
News Release from: Waters | Subject: Synapt HDMS
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 20 March 2007
Oxford selects Synapt HDMS for chemical
biology
High definition mass spectrometry system will enable new research at Oxford University into understanding how oxygen regulates gene expression
Oxford University has taken delivery of a Waters Synapt High Definition MS System for its department of chemistry The University purchased the system for advanced research in chemical biology and will use it to study interactions between proteins and small molecules and interactions between proteins and other bio-macromolecules
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 7 Jun 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
New mass spectrometry innovation is theme at ASMS
Waters's long-standing commitment to innovation in the field of mass spectrometry (MS) was never more evident than at this year's 54th American Society of Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Conference
A technological first for mass spectrometry
Synapt HDMS is the first mass spectrometer of its kind to employ new ion-mobility technology and software to enable the analysis of sample ions differentiated by size and shape, as well as mass
"We are particularly keen to apply the capability of the Synapt HDMS System to separate species by ion mobility," commented Chris Schofield of the department of chemistry.
"We hope it will enable us to study the effect of binding events on protein conformation in an efficient manner and complement data obtained from high resolution but time-consuming techniques such as X-ray crystallography and NMR.
"Obtaining three-dimensional information on proteins is difficult to do by existing mass spectrometric-based techniques".
Further reading
High definition mass spec is first of its kind
Synapt HDMS system is the first mass spectrometer of its kind to employ new ion mobility technology and software to enable the analysis of sample ions differentiated by size, charge, shape and mass.
Synapt HDMS mass spectrometry on show at Pittcon
The Synapt HDMS System is intended for researchers working at the limits of conventional mass spectrometry (MS) and who need to further characterise and define their samples
Prof Schofield also intends to use the Synapt HDMS system to study multi-component protein complexes.
A major aspect of Chris Schofield's research involves developing a chemical understanding of how cells sense oxygen.
In collaboration with researchers in Oxford's department of medicine, led by scientists Peter Ratcliffe and Chris Pugh, the scientists have discovered a family of enzymes that act as oxygen sensors in humans.
These enzymes catalyse the oxidation of a transcription factor that regulates proteins which in turn increase red blood cell production and blood vessel growth.
Applications of this research include learning how to starve cancerous tumors of oxygen and how to oxygenate and, some day, restore heart tissue damaged by various forms of heart disease.
To introduce sample proteins and peptides into the Synapt HDMS system and maintain their conformational state while maximizing productivity and performance, Professor Schofield will use an Advion TriVersa NanoMate chip-based nanoelectrospray device.
Waters and Advion BioSciences announced a collaboration in November of 2006 to ensure the compatibility of the TriVersa NanoMate sample introduction device with the Synapt HDMS system.
A NanoMate has been successfully used for research at Oxford University in conjunction with a Waters Q-Tof micro mass spectrometer.
Waters introduced the Synapt HDMS system at the American Society of Mass Spectrometry annual meeting in Seattle in June of 2006.
It is the first commercially-available mass spectrometer with the ability to analyse ions by their size, shape and charge in addition to mass.
• Waters: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
