Biacore International AB announced a major new innovation for accelerating research in functional proteomics. Biacore 3000 is the highest performance SPR-based research system available today for studying biomolecular interactions. This has now been made more powerful through the incorporation of automated and increased capacity recovery functionality and direct MALDI target deposition for further analysis by MALDI-TOF, or even TOF/TOF mass spectrometry.

This new automated SPR-MS functionality for Biacore 3000 has been developed by Biacore as part of its ongoing collaboration with Bruker Daltonics Inc to jointly create a comprehensive technology solution for functional proteomics studies.

The SPR technology of Biacore 3000 provides the means of detecting, capturing and delivering valuable protein without any labeling or modification. Subsequent sequencing by mass spectrometry is facilitated by automated sample preparation including an option to deposit sample direct onto the MALDI plate.This means that researchers now have ready access to critical functional SPR data on protein-protein or protein-peptide interactions, combined directly with mass spectrometric identification and characterization of novel proteins. This offers researchers a new proteomics research methodology delivering a greater understanding of the interactions underlying biological processes, critical to the elucidation of disease processes.

The enhanced Biacore 3000 functionality has been field tested as part of collaborations in this field with laboratories in a number of key organisations worldwide.These include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc (USA), Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Melbourne Branch, Australia), University of Southern Denmark, Odense University (Denmark) and the Integrated Proteomics System Project (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan).

Dr. Detlev Suckau, Head of MALDI applications development at Bruker Daltonics, said, "This new automated functionality enabling even TOF/TOF MS/MS characterisation following recovery from SPR makes the Biacore 3000 in combination with our UltraflexTOF/TOF system probably the most information-rich technology solution for interaction proteomics a researcher can buy today."

"Biacore 3000 is already recognized by the world's leading research laboratories as a powerful tool offering functional, data-rich information providing greater insights into physiological and disease processes," commented Clive Seymour, Vice President and Head of Biacore's Life Science Research Business Unit. "Our advanced micro fluidics and unique chip based chemistry delivering the highest sensitivity and high quality kinetics is now combined with automated SPR-MS capabilities offering researchers a real opportunity to accelerate elucidation of the Proteome."