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P3012
Label-Free Characterization of Proteins Using Acoustic Droplet Ejection Deposition & Advanced X-Ray Technology Measurement
Presenter Eva Birnbaum, Caldera Pharmaceuticals, USA
Additional Authors: Sharon M. Baldwin, Lori Jo Peterson-Court, Benjamin P. Warner, Siobhan Pickett, Jean Shieh
Characterization and quantification of proteins without labels or added reagents remains a challenging task for proteomics and drug development. We have developed a prototype instrument based on a novel x-ray technology for efficiently measuring small amounts of native proteins (down to 2 ng or 30 fmol) and small molecules (down to 150 pg or 5 pmol). We present data using this platform (XRpro plate reader, Caldera Pharmaceuticals) to measure arrays of protein and small molecule samples deposited in 2.5 nL droplet volumes by acoustic droplet ejection (Echo® 555 liquid handler, Labcyte Inc.). Preliminary results indicate that with both protein and small molecules, the signal is consistent with that of an internal standard over the tested volume range of two orders of magnitude. Protein recovery from the array ranged from 101-118% of theoretical. This system represents a highly automated general method for simple, inexpensive quantification of proteins and small molecules.