In response to the data handling demands of high-throughput proteomics, ProteoMetrics has released its Radars (rapid data archival and retrieval system) software to store and analyze protein mass spectrometric experimental data.
A ProteoMetrics spokeswoman said that the software’s ability to analyze large amounts of mass spectral data sets it apart from other types of proteomics software. She said that three companies have bought the software so far, and there are several more buyers in the pipeline. She declined to name the current buyers.
The program uses the company’s ProFound search engine to compare experimental results to one or more in-house or public protein sequence databases and identify which protein researchers have found. The software then uses Bayesian theory to rank the proteins according to their probability of occurrence, which the company said increases the likelihood that a particular protein identification is true rather than a random statistical coincidence.
Radars then stores the results of its analysis in a separate relational database for later retrieval.
Radars can rapidly, accurately, and confidentially evaluate tens of thousands of mass spectra per day, the company said. The system can be used on a single computer or on multiple computers at once to process even more mass spectra data at a time.
The company said the ProFound searching algorithm is much more accurate than those used by competitors, such as Matrix Sciences’ Mascot.
The software package also contains Proteometrics’ M/Z, a tool for viewing and manipulating mass spectra, and PAWS, a tool for analysis of protein sequences and post-translational modifications.
The development of the software has been partly supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
—BT