High-Throughput Peptide Mass Mapping using an Integrated Capillary Device Coupled to a Mass Spectrom

This article describes the development of a simple enzymatic reactor and its interfacing with a mass spectrometer for high-throughput mass mapping of peptides. This procedure combines preconcentration and enzymatic digestion in the nano-electrospray emitter.

The recently decoded human genome is believed to be a massive source of information that will lead to improved diagnostics of diseases, earlier detection of genetic predispositions to diseases, gene therapy, rational drug design and pharmacogenomic “custom drugs”. The upcoming “post-genomic” era will then target the gene expression network and the changes induced by effects such as disease, environment or drug treatment. In other words, knowledge of the exact composition of proteins within a living body and the changes in composition that reflect both healthy and diseased states will be used to determine the pharmacological action of potential drugs. The rapid acceleration of research in the area of proteomics requires the development of new technologies in the drug discovery process.

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