How to Scale Proteomics
18 days ago
- #Proteomics
- #Alzheimer's Research
- #Mass Spectrometry
- Proteins are the most diverse and heaviest molecules in a cell, with human cells encoding over 20,000 proteins.
- Proteins' structures and functions can change due to chemical modifications, making them highly adaptable.
- Current proteomics technology is limited, allowing only about a dozen cells to be analyzed at once, unlike DNA sequencing which can handle thousands.
- Mass spectrometry, the main technology for protein study, was originally developed by physicists and has evolved significantly over time.
- Parallel Squared Technology Institute (PTI) is working to scale proteomics by improving barcoding, mass spectrometry protocols, and data processing software.
- PTI's innovations include a 9-plex barcode system and timePlex method, which together increase proteome analysis throughput by an order of magnitude.
- PTI is applying its technology to study Alzheimer's disease, aiming to identify early biomarkers by analyzing individual neurons at different disease stages.
- The team's long-term goal is to map the proteome of every cell type in the human brain, which could revolutionize understanding of complex diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.