Company of the week: Thermo Fisher Scientific
For our proteomics folk, we will jump right into Thermo's newest products - The Ascend and Astral Mass Spectrometers
Ascend: This mass spectrometer is tailored for advanced proteomics, featuring an Orbitrap mass analyzer for high-resolution, accurate-mass data. It supports both data-dependent and data-independent modes, making it versatile for various sample types. Ascend provides a mass range from m/z 40 to 6,000 and offers quick data acquisition and high sensitivity. It integrates well with BioPharma Finder and Proteome Discoverer software for thorough data analysis. (📖 - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01701)
Astral: Designed for high-throughput proteomics, Astral focuses on speed and precision. It features its own Astral analyzer, achieving 80,000 FWHM at m/z 524. With MS2 acquisition rates of up to 200 Hz, it assures fast and accurate data collection. The device requires as little as 100-200 ng of sample and is further optimized by its compatibility with the Thermo Scientific™ FAIMS Pro Duo interface. Data is processed using CHIMERYS in Proteome Discoverer 3.1, keeping the FDR below 1% (📖 - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00357)
Key Differences
• Mass Analyzer: Ascend employs the Orbitrap mass analyzer, while Astral uses its specialized Astral analyzer.
• Mass Range: The Ascend has a standard mass range from m/z 40 to 6,000 and can be extended to m/z 8,000 with an optional BioPharma feature. For the Astral, the mass range in standard operations spans from m/z 40 to 6,000.
• Resolution: Ascend features adjustable resolution settings ranging from 7,500 to 480,000 (FWHM) at m/z 200, whereas Astral attains a resolution of 80,000 FWHM at m/z 524.
• Acquisition Rate: Astral outperforms with acquisition rates of up to 200 Hz for MS2, compared to Ascend's rates of up to 40 Hz.
• Software: Ascend integrates with BioPharma Finder and Proteome Discoverer, while Astral is optimized with CHIMERYS in Proteome Discoverer 3.1, offering robust data processing.
Both spectrometers come equipped with an array of advanced features such as Dynamic Exclusion, Intensity Filtering, and Charge State options. They are pivotal additions to Thermo Fisher Scientific's extensive and innovative product line, designed to meet the evolving demands of proteomics research.
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Website: https:https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home.html
