Report: "Softer" Mass Spec Techniques Gaining Popularity in Biomarker Discovery
NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Two mass spectrometry technologies MALDI and DESI are increasing in applications as their effectiveness is established, according to biotechnology market research firm Kalorama Information. Kalorama Information says that while mass spectrometry (mass spec or MS) is the most powerful tool in proteomic biomarker discovery and validation, mass spectrometry (mass spec; MS) through its traditional techniques has struggled to elucidate molecular distribution in tissue related to disease state. In recent years, mass spec imaging, including MALDI and DESI imaging, has seen significant application in proteomic biomarker discovery with its distinct advantages in its preservation of spatial proteomic data and potential to improve assay reproducibility. Kalorama studied the use of mass spec in research in its report, Proteomics Markets for Research and IVD Applications.
The report can be obtained at: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Proteomics-Mass-Spectrometry-8359865/.
According to Kalorama, one of the key strengths of these types of mass spectrometry is that they avoid traditional tissue sample preparation. Sample preparation is a tedious front-end process for virtually any MS analysis and presents a significant bottleneck in proteomics where differential analysis is used to compare protein expression and abundance between samples in increasingly greater volumes. Proteolytic digestion and other sample preparation procedures remove significant analytical context related to the spatial distribution and concentration of proteins within a single sample.
In MALDI and DESI, "non-destructive" techniques are utilized with soft ionization sources to desorb and ionize sample surface molecules for MS analysis. Imaging is accomplished by rastering or systematically scanning the sample surface at predefined coordinates with targeted mass-to-charge (m/z values) detected, recorded and displayed by position on a multi-dimensional basis.
MALDI imaging of tissue was introduced in 1997 and has since been refined into a productive tool for cancer biomarker discovery. The mass spec imaging technique requires the tissue section sample to be coated with a low molecular weight matrix. During MS analysis, a laser beam is directed at the matrix-sample surface; significant energy is absorbed in vaporizing the matrix to create an ionization cloud while also preserving the integrity of sample proteins. In one study of the application of MALDI imaging in biomarker discovery, a Bruker ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF with smartbeam imaging laser technology was used for the differential analysis and detection of overexpressed proteins between HER2-positive and negative breast cancer tissue samples. The subsequent identification of overexpressed proteins was accomplished with an ion trap MS and led to the effective discovery of CRIP1 biomarker in the samples. Researchers noted the novelty of the MALDI imaging approach to discover proteins otherwise difficult to separate by electrophoresis or hidden in shotgun proteomic processes that are biased towards higher-mass proteins. Other recent studies have used MALDI imaging to associate several discovered biomarkers (including CRIP1) with gastric cancer survival prognosis, forms of ovarian cancer, and to develop a novel grading system for papillary non-invasive bladder cancer. Kalorama believes these types of results have cemented the reputation of these mass spec technologies.
Kalorama's report, Proteomics Markets for Research and IVD Applications (Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, Microarrays, Electrophoresis, Immunoassays, Other Technologies) contains breakouts of the market by type of technology used and application. It profiles companies and surveys partnerships and deals related to proteomics. Find this report in addition to other industry leading research from Kalorama at: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/.
About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog at www.kaloramainformation.com.
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SOURCE Kalorama Information
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