MASS SPECTROMETRY

Expertise

Proteomic analyses: from samples preparation to data analysis.  Targeted compounds quantification (biomarkers, drugs…).  Identification and characterization of small molecules.

Description

The University of Namur Mass Spectrometry platform (MaSUN) involves equipment from different research units of the University of Namur: the Department of Pharmacy, the Organic Chemistry Unit (UCO), the Mass Spectrometry facility and the Cell Biology Research Unit of the Department of Biology (URBC).

 

News

In 2018, the Mass Spectrometry service and the Cell Biology Research Unit of the Department of Biology (URBC) were awarded a FNRS grant to buy a new high-resolution, ion mobility mass spectrometer dedicated to quantitative proteomic analyses.

In 2014, NAMEDIC was awarded a FNRS grant to buy a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, which enables the quantification of small molecules in complex settings such as plasma. 

Equipment

The MaSUN platform combines different and complementary mass spectrometers:

  • Waters ACQUITY QDa with a Waters Alliance HPLC for routine analyses in chemistry.
  • Waters XEVO TQ-S with a Waters UHPLC dedicated to quantification of small molecules in complex settings such as plasma.
  • Bruker MaXis Impact coupled to a Dionex Ultimate 3000 2D-LC or an Ultimate nanoUPLC mostly dedicated to proteomic profiling and high-resolution analyses of small molecules.
  • Bruker timsTOF Pro powered with PASEF coupled to a Bruker nanoElute dedicated to quantitative proteomic analyses.

Softwares

The following softwares for proteomics data processing, protein identification and quantification are available to cover the different needs of sample analysis:

  • Mascot Server 2.7
  • PEAKS X Pro (LFQ, SILAC, PTM analysis, De Novo peptide sequencing)
  • Scaffold 4.10 (Spectral Counting)
  • Progenesis QI Proteomics
  • Metaboscape Bruker
  • Merox 2.0 (Cross Linking analysis)

Proteomics services

The team of the Proteomic facility has expertise in sample preparation, electrophoresis, LC separation, mass spectrometry and data processing.

We can handle all the steps of an experiment from protein extraction to data analysis. However, we strongly favour collaborations with training of researchers in extraction techniques, gel electrophoresis and protein digestion. 

We have expertise in

  • Protein identification in different types of samples (such as bands from electrophoretic gels, eluates from immunoprecipitation experiments, DNA pull down, subcellular fractions, …)
  • Comparative and quantitative proteomic analyses in culture cell lysates, subcellular fractionations, secretomes, tissues. Quantitative analyses are mostly conducted with label-free approaches, less frequently with SILAC.
  • Peptide off-line fractionation
  • Protein cross linking mass spectrometry analysis
  • Study of post translational modifications (PTM)

Relevant publications illustrating our expertise

Need mass spectrometry for proteomic analyses?

Please contact Marc Dieu and/or Patsy Renard to expose your project.

We will meet you to determine if our expertise can help your project. We are used to work on a collaborative basis for academic research, with a minimal financial contribution to cover reagent costs.

Alternatively, we can provide full services for companies.