How have you setup your industrial platform?
Our mass spec center is a service and R&D lab focused on solutions for proteomics research and biologics characterization. So we provide LC-MS services for multi–omic researchers as well as pharmaceutical research and development customers.
How important is sample preparation?
We have had success using several deglycosidases including SmartEnzymes like FragIT, OglyZOR and SialEXO. In a sort of combinatorial sample prep matrix these enzymes help determine how highly complex glycoform patterns are derived from possibly several types of glycosylation events (i.e., N-linked vs. O-linked vs. sialylated). This sample prep strategy is a powerful way to navigate this challenge.
What are the advantages of using SmartEnzymes?
We found the activity and purity of the SmartEnzymes was ideal for native LC-MS because we can efficiently deglycosylate using very small amounts of enzyme. Since the levels are near or below the actual level of detection, we are not seeing them in our datasets. This is a critical point because it means we can keep our analyses streamlined and avoid having to address any artifact data that is not specifically related to the therapeutic protein in question.
What are the next steps for you?
The San Jose lab uniquely allows BGI to offer state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic analytical services globally. In the coming year we plan to grow our team and add new LC and MS instrumentation to further increase our ability to support this market. We plan to provide even deeper support for our main focus areas of proteomics and biologics characterization.
