Metrology Institute's high-throughput protein detection technology has achieved a major breakthrough

“The breakthrough in the research of key technologies for high-throughput protein separation and detection has been very encouraging to us, but this is only part of our large-scale system integration research. We are now focusing on systematic follow-up research. We believe that in the near future, this set of integrated The system will provide a complete and standardized platform for the analysis of proteomics.” Talking about the key technologies for high-throughput protein separation and detection, which were identified through the project recently, and the results achieved, the Chinese Institute of Metrology, Biology, Energy and Environment Research Liu Xinzhi, director of the Institute of Scientific Instruments, has shown great satisfaction.

With the initial completion of the Global International Human Genome Project, a post-genomic era that focuses on protein and gene regulation has begun. Protein is the executor of physiological functions and a direct manifestation of the phenomenon of life. Research on the structure and function of proteins will directly explain the changing mechanism of life under physiological or pathological conditions. Proteomics developed with human genome research is a new discipline that studies the composition and activity of various proteins in cells. In the post-genomic era, the proteome will become one of the key research directions and will strongly promote the sustained and rapid development of the bio-industry.

"Proteomics research is a very young science. From birth to flourishing, it is only seven or eight years old. China's research time is only six years. However, its development rate is very rapid and the scope of application is very wide." Liu Xinzhi said .

Proteome research is of great importance in many fields such as life sciences, chemical analysis, food safety, and human health. For example, almost all drugs work through proteins, and the application of proteomics in pharmaceutical research can not only directly generate new drugs, but more importantly, it can reduce the blindness to the development of new drugs and greatly accelerate and simplify the development of new drugs. The process; through the study of different stages of the disease proteome, can also help diagnose and prevent disease. At present, proteomics has been successfully used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS, and arthritis.

"The core technology of proteomics research is divided into two parts: protein separation technology and protein identification technology. The experimental data show that the development level of protein identification technology relying on mass spectrometry at the current stage is much higher than the development level of protein separation technology. But for large The separation and purification of molecules, complexes, and cells is an essential step for more detailed biological identification and engineering applications. If the separation of proteins cannot be performed quickly and efficiently, subsequent identification cannot be performed. Therefore, the bottleneck of proteome research comes from The limits of protein separation technology." Liu Xinzhi made a metaphor: "The protein identification technology is like a spacious highway, but the only way to this high-speed road - protein separation technology is like a small alley, this small Hutongs seriously affected the rapid passage of vehicles."

According to reports, there are two main types of protein separation technology - two-dimensional electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. “The inherent disadvantages of these two traditional technologies are that it is difficult to break down insoluble proteins and that they cannot break down insoluble proteins. To get through this small alley, we must find a new way to develop a new device. Can effectively separate insoluble and insoluble proteins, and to achieve high-throughput rapid separation." Liu Xinzhi introduction.

The "Research on Key Technologies for High-Throughput Protein Detection" completed by the China Academy of Metrology Sciences has achieved a major breakthrough in solving the problem of rapid protein separation. The most critical high-stability free-flow electrophoresis (HSFFE) device in the high-throughput protein separation and detection technology centered on the reverse-fed continuous free flow electrophoresis (FFE) separation method was established. "The most remarkable feature of this device is that it solves the problem that two traditional separation technologies cannot solve - the effective separation of soluble protein, poorly soluble protein, and insoluble protein from the protein mixture and complete realization of these three proteins. Separation; secondly, the device has high flux and high speed, which can meet the needs of rapid protein isolation and identification, said Liu Xinzhi.

Experts believe that the device is China's first self-developed practical large-scale liquid electrophoresis device for the preparation of the ground, the main indicators have reached the technical level of similar international devices. At the same time, the implementation of this project is technically forward-looking and integrated and innovative, providing key technical support for proteomics research. This result with independent intellectual property rights reduces the dependence on foreign technology of similar instruments and equipment in China and has a high practical value. The device can not only provide technical support for the basic research of proteomics in China, but also can be widely used in the production of biological industries, such as biopharmaceuticals. At the same time, it can also be applied to clinical medicine, such as disease prevention and clinical monitoring. As a senior biologist said: "The scope of its application can be almost all areas of biology, biochemistry and cytology."

“Although the device itself can already be used as a stand-alone product in related fields, this is not our ultimate goal. Our goal is to realize high-throughput complete protein separation, enzymatic digestion, peptides with this device as the core. The large-scale system integration of separation and mass spectrometry identification interfaces ensures that the proteomic analysis can be standardized in a continuous self-controlled system. By then, our devices will play a greater role.” Liu Xinzhi is confident.