Protein Precipitation/ Peptide Purification
standard VERSA 1100 SPE
Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) is one of the most common methods for preparing samples to be analyzed by Mass spectrometry. Common workflow runs samples down through a syringe cartridge with absorbents (often silica or carbon based) several times and the size for these cartridges is mostly 1ml, 3ml or 6ml. Although this cartridge-based method works perfectly fine with samples in large volume, it can create recovery issues when dealing with small volume (roughly 1ml in total) since there will not be enough sample to be thoroughly eluted into collection vials. Research on metabolomics or peptides often investigates various human samples in high throughput and thus come in small volume. Using an ordinary cartridge in these applications not only introduces a lower recover rate but is also inefficient since these loaded syringes take space and only a few can be run at the same time.
Filtration plate has been developed to serve this purpose and there are multiple types available in the current market, each suits for a corresponding elute (from peptides to metabolites etc.). They have the exact layout/dimension as a standard 96-well plate which support a high-throughput (96 samples at a time) but low-volume (less than 1ml) extraction. These plates are easy to use as well – one can either apply a positive pressure (for example: Thermo’s SOLAµ™ SPE Plates) or a vacuum manifold (for example Phenomenex’s Impact™ Protein Precipitation Plates) to push eluents through the filter and the whole workflow looks almost identical to the ones using ordinary carbon cartridges.
One of our clients from hospital core lab has been using Phenomenex’s Impact™ Protein Precipitation Plates for their metabolomics research and with the assistance of VERSA 1100 SPE, to automatically prepare patient samples for GC/MS analysis on a monthly basis. The VERSA 1100 SPE Workstation offers flexibility in sample throughput by accommodating 1, 3, and 6 mL cartridges, and 96-well SPE cartridge plate formats. With 15 deck positions and a variety of dedicated modules, including positive and negative pressure applicators, nitrogen dryer, and a shaker-heater, the system’s versatility can be extended to include sample extraction as well as derivatization and reconstitution for further analysis.
Thermo’s SOLAµ™ SPE Plate
Phenomenex’s Impact™ Protein Precipitation Plates
Specifications | Versa1100 | Versa2100 |
| Deck Capacity | 15 | 24 Deck Positions |
| Pipetting Head (Single Channel Function, Disposable Tip) | 4 or 8 channel | 4 Channel Pipette (1000uL) |
| ReagentDrop | up to 8 | 5 Channel Reagent Drop (bulk dispensing) |
| Supported Cartridges | 24 test-tubes/vials and 96 deep well plates | SPE cartridge compatible |
| Gripper / Plate Transporter | Gripper | Gripper |
| Reagent Block / Flat Plate Coolers | Optional | Optional |
| Nitrogen Dryer | 24 or 96 channels | 24 or 96 channels |
| Shaker-Heater (2400rpm, RT to 90°C) | Optional | Optional / 4-in-1 Shaker for 4x Sample Tube Racks 4×6 |
| Liquid Level Sensing | Optional | NA |
| HEPA/UV/LED Enclosure | Included | Included |
| Sonicated Wash Station | NA | Optional |
| Width x Depth x Height (cm) | 99 x 75 x 90 | 120 x 84 x 200 (Including Bench) |
| Weight (kg) | 162 | ~500 |
Applications – VERSA Automated Solid Phase Extraction Systems
- Food Safety
- Vitamin D from Blood/Serum Samples
- Drugs of Abuse in Forensic Analysis
- Compounds for Drug Discovery
- Iso-Flavonoides from Urine Samples
- Aflatoxins from Seafood Products
- Growth Promoters in Blood
- Semi-Volatile or Non-Volatile Analytes
- Protein Precipitation
- Environment Health
- Metabolite Extraction