COBRE Core Facility

The Proteomics and Lipidomics Core focuses on molecular characterization of protein and lipid changes in cells and tissues. As a component of the MeCOBRE, we provide support to define protein and lipid signatures in adipose tissue, blood, marrow serum, bone, and nervous tissue.  We house two triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometers to enhance protein quantitative and metabolite analysis (4000QTRAP, 6500+QTRAP, SCIEX). In addition to a dual probe (DuoSpray) electrospray source for lipid analyses, this instrument can be alternatively fitted with a Nanospray III source for high sensitivity protein identification and quantitative analysis in MRM mode. We also house two high resolution tandem quadrupole-TOF instruments; a 5600 and 6600+ qTOF. The qTOFs and QTRAPS rely on two Thermofisher U_3000 RSLCs and an EkSigent EkSpert nanoscale liquid chromatographic systems, all with a multi-tray autosampler that has greatly facilitated automated medium throughput for qTOF- and QTRAP-based analyses. The qTOF 5600 and 6600+ mass spectrometers allow us to maximally exploit versatile state-of-the-art scanning data acquisition modalities such as SWATH (protein) and MS/MSALL (lipids), whereas the QTRAPs provide ideal platforms for targeted analysis of specific lipid or protein molecules. These allow us to address emerging protein analytics by combining the high speed scanning capabilities of the triple qTOF instrument for initial unbiased SWATH proteomics and MS/MSALL lipidomics discovery with subsequent targeted quantitative protein and lipid analysis using MRM (QTRAPs). Thus, this combination of instruments is particularly well suited to support the projects in this COBRE, as well as provide expertise to support projects outside of our institution. For more information, contact Dr. Calvin Vary (calvin.vary@mainehealth.org).