Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Here we propose the purchase of new, state-of-the-art liquid chromatography (LC) equipment for undertaking protein mass spectrometry analyses that will replace our current nanoLC-1200 unit, which has been consistently broken over the past 5 years. Recently released equivalent LC units have undergone a substantial re-design that has fixed the problems plaguing older models such as ours, increasing its robustness, while also expanding its utility with the incorporation of new capabilities. The LC system we propose as part of this proposal is the Vanquish Neo LC system, which represents the new standard in proteomic facilities worldwide and will work seamlessly with our LUMOS Hybrid Orbitrap mass spectrometer (MS). Contrary to our nLC-1200, the Vanquish Neo LC system possesses enhanced liquid handling precision for the analysis of smaller volumes (nanoliters; nL), an expanded range of gradient flow rates (1 nL/min to 100 µL/min) and increased pressure rating specifications for better peak resolution (1500 bar); amongst other new features. Furthermore, unlike our nLC-1200 system, the $1.2 million CAD LUMOS Hybrid Orbitrap MS to which it elutes samples for analysis has been robust, running nearly 24/7 over the past 5 years. Given this, the proposed LC system will offer the applicants and collaborators a renewed ability to produce high quality proteomic results. Of particular note, the proposed LC system will offer new sample throughput capabilities for large sample cohorts (e.g. time-course experimentation & single-cell analyses), opening up new research avenues for the co-applicants and their collaborators. Critically, the new equipment will allow the co-applicants to continue to support a wide array of research programs on campus, enabling each of them to continue to answer fundamental research questions using quantitative proteomics. With the proposed LC system to be connected to an already purchased and established LUMOS Hybrid Orbitrap MS, the equipment will be located in the Alberta Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility (APM), where this MS instrument is located. This facility possess full-time technical staff and services the quantitative proteomic needs of the University of Alberta community through hands-on collaborative opportunities for trainees. The consistency and enhanced capabilities offered by the new LC system will continue to allow the co-applicant researchers and collaborators to offer hands-on training to their HQP, in addition to more consistently facilitating the timely acquisition of robust, publication quality quantitative proteomics data compared to our current system. Given the state of our current system and our maintenance struggles over the past 5 years, the proposed LC system is urgently needed for the co-applicant research groups to continue to perform the quantitative proteomic experimentation necessary to complete trainee projects and theses.