Developments in proteomics mass spectrometry over the last decade have, to a large extent, focused on increased sensitivity and mass resolution which — combined with the accurate mass capabilities of these instruments — has been a major boon for classical proteomics.
For researchers doing clinical trials, however, these benefits have been less helpful. Their typical pain points have revolved around the need to analyze large-volume analyses of huge cohorts comprising thousands or often tens of thousands of samples. Such experiments could only be realized with either the purchase of large numbers of instruments or having experimental runs lasting weeks or months.
Game-changer for cancer research
With the launch of the Orbitrap Astral, an instrument is finally available offering both high throughput and high performance without compromise. Previously, there was always a trade-off between speed and other characteristics. To go faster something else had to give, but with the Orbitrap Astral, speed is available without sacrificing performance.
Not only can the Astral mass analyser acquire high sensitivity, high dynamic range HRAM spectra at a rate of up to 200 Hz, the instrument also has intelligent parallelization, which means up to five separate ion packets can be running through the system’s three mass analyzers simultaneously. The challenges of insufficient throughput, missing analytes of interest and the lack of sensitivity are greatly reduced. This gives the Orbitrap Astral the capacity to analyze more than a million protein groups across 180 samples in a single day through the measurement of over 8,000 protein groups in each of the 180 samples.
In addition, implementing data-independent acquisition (DIA) facilitates unprecedented data quality for DIA methods with faster throughput, deeper coverage and higher dynamic range for accurate and precise quantitation, as demonstrated in this application note for Plasma Proteomics.
Micro-machined technology to optimize separation performance
To optimize separation performance for your proteomics workflow, we’ve utilized our unique micro-machined technology and launched the newest member of the μPAC Neo family: the μPAC Neo HPLC column. Together with the Orbitrap Astral, the μPAC Neo high-throughput column provides high sample throughput workflows, ranging from 48 to 288 samples per day (SPD), as shown in the graph below:
Whether your interest is in cancer research, precision medicine or plasma proteomics, the Orbitrap Astral allows analysis at scale, establishing a new standard for mass spectrometry performance to unlock new insights into biology and disease mechanisms.
Get closer to the truth
Pushing the boundaries of sensitivity, resolution and acquisition sophistication requires equally advanced software algorithms to help parse, process, and produce revolutionary findings. However, due to large data files and increasingly larger studies, data is commonly stored and scattered on external hard drives, making data processing, transfer, sharing and aggregation a laborious task.
With the proteomics software solution, powered by Ardia, you can utilize automated intelligent algorithms to combine, compare and interrogate proteomics results in a truly collaborative and connected platform to deliver the best results. Conveniently retrieve files from a globally accessible central data repository and leverage the power of cloud-native architecture for on-premise processing — all while continuing to collect and analyze data. Advance your research with a solution that handles proteomics workflows and frees up your computing and human resources.
To learn more about this next generation proteomics workflow, visit thermofisher.com/orbitrapastral.
