55 results about "Protein Sequence Determination" patented technology

Methods, compositions, kits, and apparatus are provided wherein the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase system is used to analyze amino acids. The method allows very small devices for quantitative or semi-quantitative analysis of the amino acids in samples or in sequential or complete proteolytic digestions. The methods can be readily applied to the detection and / or quantitation of one or more primary amino acids by using cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and cognate tRNA. The basis of the method is that each of the 20 synthetases and / or a tRNA specific for a different amino acid is separated spatially or differentially labeled. The reactions catalyzed by all 20 synthetases may be monitored simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, or in parallel. Each separately positioned synthetase or tRNA will signal its cognate amino acid. The synthetase reactions can be monitored using continuous spectroscopic assays. Alternatively, since elongation factor Tu:GTP (EF-Tu:GTP) specifically binds all AA−tRNAs, the aminoacylation reactions catalyzed by the synthetases can be monitored using ligand assays. Microarrays and microsensors for amino acid analysis are provided. Additionally, amino acid analysis devices are integrated with protease digestions to produce miniaturized enzymatic sequenators capable of generating either N- or C-terminal sequence and composition data for a protein or peptide. The possibility of parallel processing of many samples in an automated manner is discussed.

A control system and apparatus for use with laser ionization is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a laser, pulse shaper, detection device and control system. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and a mass spectrometer. In yet other aspects of the present invention, the control system and apparatus are used in MALDI, chemical bond cleaving, protein sequencing, photodynamic therapy, optical coherence tomography and optical communications processes.

The methods and apparatus, disclosed herein are of use for sequencing and / or identifying proteins, polypeptides and / or peptides. Proteins containing labeled amino acid residues may be synthesized and passed through nanopores. A detector operably coupled to a nanopore may detect labeled amino acid residues as they pass through the nanopore. Distance maps for each type of labeled amino acid residue may be compiled. The distance maps may be used to sequence and / or identify the protein. Apparatus of use for protein sequencing and / or identification is also disclosed herein. In alternative methods, other types of analytes may be analyzed by the same techniques.

Various mass spectroscopy-based methods are provided to improve protein sequencing by detecting z-type product ions generated from the protein. A polypeptide is introduced to a mass spectrometer, and in particular c- and z-type product ions that are generated by selectively fragmenting the polypeptide. The z-type product ions are distinguished from the c-type product ions and the mass-to-charge ratio of at least a portion of the z-type product ions are determined. From the mass of the z-type product ions, a putative chemical composition is identified for at least a portion of the z-type product ions, c-type product ions, or both, which is used to determine polypeptide compositions. Further provided are various methods for reducing spectral noise, instrument calibration and database searching and verification.

The present disclosure provides an improved field effect transistor and device that can be used to sense and characterize a variety of materials. The field effect transistor and / or device including the transistor may be used for a variety of applications, including genome sequencing, protein sequencing, biomolecular sequencing, and detection of ions, molecules, chemicals, biomolecules, metal atoms, polymers, nanoparticles and the like.

The invention describes methods and reagents useful for sequencing polypeptide molecules. The method comprises affixing a polypeptide to a substrate and contacting the polypeptide with a plurality of probes. Each probe selectively binds to an N-terminal amino acid or an N-terminal amino acid derivative. Probes bound to the polypeptide molecule are then identified before cleaving the N-terminal amino acid or N-terminal amino acid derivative of the polypeptide. Also provided are methods for the sequencing a plurality of polypeptide molecules in a sample and probes specific for N-terminal amino acids or N-terminal amino acid derivatives.

Identifying proteins and peptides, and more specifically large-scale sequencing of single peptides in a mixture of diverse peptides at the single molecule level is an unmet challenge in the field of protein sequencing. Herein are methods for identifying amino acids in peptides, including peptides comprising unnatural amino acids. In one embodiment, the N-terminal amino acid is labeled with a first label and an internal amino acid is labeled with a second label. In some embodiments, the labels are fluorescent labels. In other embodiments, the internal amino acid is Lysine. In other embodiments, amino acids in peptides are identified based on the fluorescent signature for each peptide at the single molecule level.