Mass Spectrometry Laboratory for Omics Research

The Centre's Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan is part of National Agricultural Industrial Hygiene Laboratory (NAIHL) and uses state of the art mass spectrometry instrumentation for innovative research in proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, and provides customized services to academia and industry.

The lab focuses in biomarker analysis (identification, characterization, and validation), structural characterization of proteins (e.g. protein-protein interactions, post-translational modifications of proteins), and untargeted and targeted, qualitative and quantitative proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics for clinical, environmental, agricultural, and rural and occupational health applications.

Mass Spectrometry Services:

The lab offers a wide range of high quality mass spectrometry-based analytical services such as:

• Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) bottom-up analysis for qualitative identification and characterization of proteins in samples such as gel bands, cell lysates, IP pulldowns, biofluids (e.g. urine, plasma, serum, saliva, BAL) and biotissues.
• Identification and sequencing of unknown peptides, proteins, and antibodies.
• Accurate mass determination of peptides, proteins, antibodies, small molecules, metabolites and lipids.
• Protein enrichment such as antibody-based immunodepletion to enhance mass spectrometric detection of low abundance proteins.
• Post-translational modification analyses by employing enrichment methodologies (e.g. phosphorylation)
• Affinity purification (e.g. BioID, cross-linking) to study protein-protein interactions.
• Untargeted protein quantification (relative quantification) using metabolic labeling incorporation (SILAC), or chemical tagging (iTRAQ and TMT), or label-free quantification and LC-MS/MS.
• Targeted protein quantification (absolute quantification) using LC-multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)/MS and stable isotope labeled internal standard peptides (e.g. AQUA peptides).
• Targeted and untargeted metabolomics.
• Targeted and untargeted lipidomics.
• Bioinformatics analyses using an array of search engines, databases, and software, such as Spectrum Mill protein search engine (Agilent), MassHunter (qualitative, quantitative, bioconfirm; Agilent), Mass Profiler Professional (Agilent), Pathways Architect (Agilent), Profinder (Agilent), Scaffold Q+S and PTM (Proteome Software), and other open-source software tools (e.g. MaxQuant/Andromeda, Skyline, DAVID, STRING, Panther, Cytoscape) for analysis, interpretation, and validation of mass spectrometric data.
• An array of sample preparation, fractionation, and sample cleanup procedures (e.g. Agilent 3100 OFFGEL; C4 & C18 ZipTips; high pH fractionation) for protein and peptide fractionation and cleanup with in-solution recovery before MS analysis.

• Quote Requisition Form
• Price List
• Sample Submission Form

To use the Mass Spectrometry Lab please contact: