US Patent No. 6,867,042. Method for determining and modifying protein/peptide solubility. Inventor: Geoffrey Waldo. Assignee: The Regents of the University or California.
This invention describes a solubility reporter for measuring a protein’s solubility in vivo or in vitro. The reporter can be used in a single living cell, and gives a specific signal suitable for determining whether the cell bears a soluble version of a protein of interest. The method can be used to screen a pool of random mutants of an arbitrary protein for soluble versions of the protein. The method does not require a priori of the three-dimensional structure of the protein of interest. Multiple sequences of mutation/genetic recombination and selection for improved solubility are demonstrated to yield versions of the protein which display enhanced solubility.
US Patent No. 6,864,100. Automated protein purification in the multiwell format by vacuum filtration. Inventors: Joachim Ribbe, Frank Schafer, Kerstin Steinert, Helge Lubenow. Assignee: Qiagen GmbH
This invention consists of a process and reagent kit for obtaining clear solutions containing cell contents from biological samples via a high-throughput method, and a method for recovering cell contents from the clear solutions obtained. The invention involves eliminating insoluble ingredients by filtering solutions through a multi-chamber filtration unit while preventing cross contamination between adjacent chambers by chemical and mechanical means, and collecting individual filtrates separately in collecting containers. The invention further consists of an apparatus for recovering clear protein-containing solutions from biological samples.
US Patent No. 6,864,099. Affinity selected signature peptides for protein identification and quantification. Inventor: Fred Regnier. Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation.
This invention consists of a method for protein identification and quantification in complex mixtures. It utilizes affinity selection of constituent proteolytic peptide fragments unique to a protein analyte. These “signature peptides” function as analytical surrogates. Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteolyzed mixture permits identification of a protein in a complex sample without purifying the protein or obtaining its composite peptide signature.
US Patent No. 6,864,089. Labeling of proteomic samples during proteolysis for quantitation and sample multiplexing. Inventors: Daniel Figeys, Matthias Mann, Ian Stewart. Assignee: MDS Proteomics.
This invention relates to methods useful in the labeling of multiple polypeptide samples, and the subsequent analysis of these samples by mass spectrometry, particularly in the high-throughput proteomic setting. A sample tracking system is provided that allows peptides analyzed by mass spectrometry to be identified with reference to the source of those peptides. In addition, a sample quantitation system is provided that allows relative quantitation of peptides by mass spectrometry. With the aid of the sample tracking system and sample quantitation system, peptides from various sources can be pooled and analyzed simultaneously, thereby increasing analytical throughput.
US Patent No. 6,861,231. Suppression of cross-reactivity and non-specific binding by antibodies using protein A. Inventor: Weiping Shao. Assignee: Qiagen GmbH.
The structure, formation and use of blocked antibodies, especially those blocked with Protein A, or active fragments of Protein A, is described in this invention. Such blocked antibodies can be used to achieve significant reduction in both specific cross-reaction and non-specific interaction, thereby increasing specificity and reactivity with targeted antigenic sites.
US Patent No. 6,858,840. Method of ion fragmentation in a multipole ion guide of a tandem mass spectrometer. Inventors: Vadym Berkout, Vladimir Doroshenko. Assignee: Science & Engineering Services.
This invention relates to a system and method for mass analysis of an ion beam. The system includes a mass selector, at least one multipole ion guide, and a mass analyzer. Using the system and method, precursor ions are selected with a desired mass to charge ratio. Electrons are injected into the multipole ion guide, and precursor ions are fragmented into product ions via electron capture dissociation from the injected electrons. The product ions are passed to a mass analyzer for mass analysis.
US Patent No. 6,858,114. Laser hydrolysis of polypeptides. Inventors: Jerald Izatt, Alvin Winters, Mary Ouzts. Assignee: The University of Alabama.
A method of hydrolyzing a protein or peptide by treating it with a laser and associated apparatus for effectuating hydrolysis is described in this invention. The principal objectives of the invention are to reduce the time required to hydrolyze polypeptides and proteins, to permit continuous extraction of hydrolyzed material as the hydrolysis proceeds, to reduce degradation of hydrolyzed material due to long exposure to the harsh process environment, to provide specific bond-site selectivity by laser wavelength control, to provide in situ hydrolysis capability by means of laser steering, and to provide multi-batch processing by splitting the laser beam between multiple sample irradiation sites.