Thermo Fisher Scientific has entered into a collaboration with the Molecular Therapeutics Research Group at the School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast to analyse peptides within amphibian venom.
The facility is using a Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap XL high performance mass spectrometer on a trial basis with the aim of expanding its research capabilities to deliver the mass accuracy required for complex peptide identification and the data reliability needed for the de novo sequencing of peptides.
Headed by Professor Chris Shaw, specialist in novel peptide drug discovery, the Molecular Therapeutics Research Group is currently focusing its efforts on the isolation, structural characterisation and functional evaluation of novel peptides extracted from amphibian, snake and arthropod venoms.
Previous research in this area by other scientists has unearthed a number of groundbreaking drug discoveries including potential treatment for high blood pressure and possible cures for deep vein thrombosis and heart disease.
"The LTQ Orbitrap XL is a state-of-the-art instrument in terms of advanced proteomics and small molecule analysis," said Professor Shaw. "The system's mass accuracy enables much easier de novo sequencing, thus lowering productivity costs and the unit cost of identifying each peptide structure.
"The technology has enabled us to determine that the synthetic replicate produced in analysis is highly accurate in terms of molecular characterisation identical to the natural compound. This means our researchers can now be 100% confident that they have the correct molecule for the research programme."
Queen's University Belfast believes that these trials will mark the start of significant advancement in this research area and enable novel peptide drug discovery leads in the future.