This Phase II proposal describes the development of bioreactive devices for use in commercially available MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers. Bioreactive devices are chemically or enzymatically derivatized mass spectrometer targets capable of modifying or purifying biomolecules prior to MALDI-TOF analysis. Described are Specific Aims of: 1) Perfecting target geometries to support highly reproducible mass mapping using targets derivatized with common proteases (e.g., trypsin, pepsin and a- chymotrypsin), 2), The development of new bioreactive targets for serial modification of proteins, and for use in sample clean-up (i.e, ion exchange targets), 3) The development of General Enzyme Immobilization kits that allow end users to immobilize proprietary enzymes in-house, and, 4) The use of bioreactive targets in combination with high-performance MALDI- TOF instrumentation for protein identification and characterization. The development of bioreactive targets is significant to health-related research by expediting the routine mass spectrometric characterization of biomolecules. Therefore, the long-term objective of the Phase II research is to supply bioreactive targets to biotech industries for use in basic research and high-throughput applications involving the sensitive and accurate mass spectrometric characterization of biomolecules.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The commercial potential of the bioreactive targets stems from a growing need for routine methods and devices capable of the high-performance analysis of biomolecules. The devices are meant to augment the (already) high-performance capabilities of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry by expediting analytical sample preparations, such as enzvmatic digestion, without introducing artifacts into the analysis. The bioreactive targets represent a useful consumable product to be used with existing MALDI- TOF instrumentation and therefore represent a significant commercial product for use in the characterization of biomolecules.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44GM056580-02
Application #
6016606
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-6 (01))
Project Start
1998-04-01
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1999-09-01
Budget End
2000-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Intrinsic Bioprobes, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
965127038
City
Tempe
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85284
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Niederkofler, E E; Tubbs, K A; Gruber, K et al. (2001) Determination of beta-2 microglobulin levels in plasma using a high-throughput mass spectrometric immunoassay system. Anal Chem 73:3294-9