Solid Protein Standard Mixture Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Protein standards used in proteomics are prone to degradation and fragmentation, leading to instability and challenges in storage and handling, which affects the accuracy of protein quantification in mass spectrometry and other proteomics applications.
Innovation Solution
A solid mixture comprising internal standard proteins and chaotropic agents such as urea, guanidine, or thiourea, which provides improved stability and ease of use by minimizing solvent volume and preventing degradation during storage and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internal standard proteins are stored in soluble format, then ease of use is improved, but stability deteriorates due to denaturation or fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the internal standard protein from soluble (liquid) format to solid format (lyophilized or freeze-dried). This parameter change fundamentally alters the stability characteristics while maintaining ease of use through simple reconstitution by adding solvent before analysis.
2Measurement precision
If internal standards are added to sample in soluble format, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance occurs due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the internal standard protein in a stable solid format before use. The protein is lyophilized or freeze-dried in advance, creating a stable form that prevents degradation during storage and handling. The standard is then reconstituted immediately before addition to the sample, ensuring maximum stability and minimizing loss throughout the workflow.
3Stability of the object's composition
If protein standards are handled with great care to prevent denaturation, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts the approach of using pre-prepared, stable solid standard proteins that can be stored indefinitely without special handling. The lyophilized or freeze-dried format creates a stable, disposable-like standard that eliminates the need for complex cold chains, protective containers, or specialized handling procedures throughout storage and transport.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solid mixture maintains protein stability over time and temperature fluctuations, reducing systematic errors in protein quantification and enabling accurate determination of target proteins in samples.
Implementation Method 1
Chaotropic agents are molecules that are able to disrupt the hydrogen bonding network between water molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a mixture comprising at least one internal standard protein, a container comprising the mixture, a method for preparing a container with the mixture, a method for determining the amount of a target protein present in a sample, providing a container comprising the mixture, as well as a kit for carrying out the methods.