Proteomic

SAMPLE PREPARATION AND SHIPMENT

The request for proteomics analysis must be made through the Proteomics Platform, by reserving the time slot in which the samples will be delivered. Within this reservation is the analysis request form, which must be filled in correctly including all the available sections.

Samples can be delivered in solution, lyophilized or gel. They must be prepared with high purity reagents compatible with mass spectrometry or milliQ water and contained in high quality plastics.

Gel samples

Samples from gel should be handled with extreme care to avoid contamination with keratins, which often come from hands, hair and animal tissue clothing, or other contaminants that may subsequently interfere with the analysis. 

For the trimming of the bands or spots, use completely clean material, scalpel, forceps or disposable tips, conveniently trimmed and completely clean. Once clipped, they should be placed in 1.5 mL eppendorf tubes covered with milliQ water and perfectly identified. To prevent any type of contamination, this process will be carried out in a horizontal flow cabinet. A horizontal flow cabinet is available at the facility.

The thickness of the gels should not exceed 1 mm and the percentage of acrylamide should not exceed 12% (we recommend 10% acrylamide). It is recommended to polymerize the gel at least 24 h before use to avoid free, unpolymerized acrylamide, which can react with the amino groups of proteins during gel electrophoresis.

Molecular weight markers should always be included in the gel. Staining of the gel can be carried out with Commassie, sypro or silver stain compatible with mass spectrometry. Staining solutions should be fresh.

After staining, the gels are stored for a few weeks in milli Q water at 4°C. The preserved gels can be delivered to the laboratory together with an image of the gels showing the proteins to be analyzed.

DELIVERY OF RESULTS

The results of the requested analyses will be sent by e-mail or collected at the Proteomics laboratory.

The delivery time of the results will depend on the workload of the Service, as well as on the characteristics of the requested analysis.