Waters and Nonlinear Dynamics Ltd. have entered into an agreement to co-develop a new analytical solution that derives information from complex data sets generated by large-scale proteomics and metabolomics experiments.

The two companies have  collaborated to develop the Waters Omics Research Platform with TransOmics Informatics. With the launch of Waters Omics Research Platform, Waters introduced two new solutions powered by Waters TransOmics Informatics: Proteomics solution combining Waters nanoACQUITY UPLC and Waters SYNAPT G2-S HDMS mass spectrometer for the bottom-up analysis of complex mixtures. Metabolomics solution is built around the Waters ACQUITY UPLC I-Class and Waters SYNAPT G2-S HDMS mass spectrometer for routine screening of large sample cohorts. Waters first introduced ion mobility to mass spectrometry with the introduction of the SYNAPT High Definition Mass Spectrometer (HDMS) in 2007.

Used in small molecule research, protein characterization, metabolite identification and bio-pharmaceutical applications, the Synapt HDMS system is still the only mass spectrometer to employ high efficiency ion-mobility based measurements and separations to enable the analysis of sample ions differentiated by size, shape and charge as well as mass. The added dimension of shape-selective separation increases the analytical specificity and sample definition so that scientists can extract more information from their samples, including the detection of components previously unseen by conventional mass spectrometers.

“The complexity of biological samples is so great that the sensitivity and specificity of analytical techniques required for biological discovery presents scientists with significant challenges when it comes to managing experimental data. We believe that through our partnership with Nonlinear Dynamics we can address this situation and advance the pace of discovery,” said Dr. James Langridge, Director of Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Discovery, Waters Division.

“I’m delighted to see this exciting partnership bring together the latest MS technology with world-renowned data analysis software,” said Will Dracup, Executive Chairman, Nonlinear Dynamics. “Researchers today are faced with large, complex data sets and they need to be able to visualize this and extract reliable results. The software Nonlinear has developed specifically addresses these issues, unlocking the potential of the valuable, content-rich, omics data that Waters’ ion mobility technology generates.”

The key objective of  any omics studies is whether proteomics or metabolomics  can be adopted to  have an understanding of the interplay between molecules at the protein and metabolite level. Only this would help to have a  better comprehension of the underlying biology of an organism or a specific disease state. The Waters Omics Research Platform Solution facilitates research across multiple discovery areas for researchers in the pharmaceutical and life sciences, food, and clinical research areas.

Waters intends to commence shipments of its UPLC/SYNAPT G2-S HDMS-based instrument solutions with TransOmics Informatics announced at ASMS during the fourth quarter of 2012.