Speaker: Eric Melanson, PE Biosystems, Wilmington, DE

Topic: Current Strategies, Tools and Solutions for Mass Spectrometry in the Field of Proteomics

Place: Building 426, Conference Room, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD

Time: Thursday, July 15, 1999, at 1:00 PM

Abstract: The growing study of the role of peptides in the mediation of disease and in the area of molecular medicine has given rise to a number of analytical solutions in mass spectrometry for identifying, characterizing and sequencing protein candidates. These solutions encompass a variety of new and existing analytical platforms, peripheral tools of value to the scientist, and a developing automation component as laboratories scale up to handle a larger number of candidates.

The basics of MALDI-TOF and QQTOF will be discussed with a series of highlighted applications illustrating the use and value of these instrument platforms in the study of biomolecules. In addition, a variety of adjunct technologies will be described which are complimentary to these techniques and which should be considered as part of a set of tools available to the biochemist and protein investigator in solving routine applications problems. Finally, a summary review of good practice tips and "do's and don'ts" in utilizing these techniques will be presented to guide users or potential users' expectations will be offered along with a brief synopsis of future developments in applications and hardware platforms.