The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for improvements of sample throughput in proteome analysis by mass spectrometry, by combining multiple non-overlapping isoelectric focusing separations. The method for performing an analysis of a plurality of protein samples, comprises: (a) Adding a proteolytic enzyme of a given specificity to a first protein sample to digest proteins to peptides; (b) Separating the peptides obtained in step (a) by isoelectric focusing; (c) Collecting those peptides which have their isoelectric point value within a first isoelectric point range; (d) Adding a proteolytic enzyme of a given specificity to a second protein sample to digest proteins to peptides; (e) Separating the peptides obtained in step (d) by isoelectric focusing; (f) Collecting those peptides which have their isoelectric point value within a second isoelectric point range, where said second isoelectric point range is different and non-overlapping compared to said first isoelectric point range; (g) Combining the peptides collected in steps (c) and (f) into a single sample and subjecting said sample to mass spectrometry analysis; (h) Deconvoluting signals/data obtained from the mass spectrometry analysis by calculating the isoelectric point of each peptide, and assigning a peptide to the first protein sample if its isoelectric point value matches the isoelectric point range selected in step (c) or to the second protein sample if its isoelectric point value matches the isoelectric point range selected in step (f); and (i) Obtaining quantitative information for proteins of each sample according to magnitude of the signal obtained from each peptide.

The present invention provides novel antigens of an allergy to wheat, methods and kits for diagnosing an allergy to wheat, compositions comprising such an antigen, wheat or processed products of wheat in which such an antigen is eliminated, and a tester composition for determining the presence or absence of a wheat antigen in an object of interest. The present invention also relates to polypeptides comprising an epitope of an antigen, kits, compositions and methods for diagnosing an allergy, comprising such a polypeptide, compositions comprising such a polypeptide, and raw materials or processed products in which an antigen comprising such a polypeptide is eliminated or reduced. The present invention further relates to a tester composition for determining the presence or absence of an antigen in an object of interest.

The present invention provides methods and systems for analyzing the biophysical characteristics of peptides or proteins, such as antibodies, based on enzymatic digestion-assisted imaged capillary electrophoresis (DiCE) to characterize the domain-specific charge variants, preferably within a bispecific antibody. The methods and systems include treating the protein with digestion enzymes to generate components of the protein, reducing or denaturing the components, and separating the components based on their isoelectric points.

The present invention provides methods and systems for analyzing the biophysical characteristics of peptides or proteins, such as antibodies, based on enzymatic digestion-assisted imaged capillary electrophoresis (DiCE) to characterize the domain-specific charge variants, preferably within a bispecific antibody. The methods and systems include treating the protein with digestion enzymes to generate components of the protein, reducing or denaturing the components, and separating the components based on their isoelectric points.

The present invention relates to the field of proteomics and more specifically to a method for analyzing a sample possible containing peptides or modified peptides; in particular useful for biomarker discovery or validation of biomarkers. The method uses isoelectric focusing and mass spectrometry (MS) and enables identification of modified peptides with high resolution and predictability.

The present invention relates to the field of proteomics and more specifically to a method for analyzing a sample possible containing peptides or modified peptides; in particular useful for biomarker discovery or validation of biomarkers. The method uses isoelectric focusing and mass spectrometry (MS) and enables identification of modified peptides with high resolution and predictability.

The invention provides a capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) system based on a sandwich injection method for automated chemical mobilization. This system was coupled with an electrokinetically pumped nanoelectrospray interface to a mass spectrometer. The nanoelectrospray emitter employed an acidic sheath electrolyte. To realize automated focusing and mobilization, a plug of ammonium hydroxide was first injected into the capillary, followed by a section of mixed sample and ampholyte. As focusing progressed, the NH.sub.3H.sub.2O section was titrated to lower pH buffer by the acidic sheath buffer. Chemical mobilization started automatically once the ammonium hydroxide was consumed by the acidic sheath flow electrolyte.

The invention provides a capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) system based on a sandwich injection method for automated chemical mobilization. This system was coupled with an electrokinetically pumped nanoelectrospray interface to a mass spectrometer. The nanoelectrospray emitter employed an acidic sheath electrolyte. To realize automated focusing and mobilization, a plug of ammonium hydroxide was first injected into the capillary, followed by a section of mixed sample and ampholyte. As focusing progressed, the NH.sub.3H.sub.2O section was titrated to lower pH buffer by the acidic sheath buffer. Chemical mobilization started automatically once the ammonium hydroxide was consumed by the acidic sheath flow electrolyte.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of separating and encapsulating an analyte on a microfluidic device in order to extract the analyte. A microfluidic device is provided having a main microchannel and a set of one or more auxiliary microchannels, each branching to the main microchannel at respective junctions therewith. A mixture is introduced as a single phase in the main microchannel in order to electrokinetically separate an analyte from the introduced mixture, and in order to confine the separated analyte in a microchannel portion of the main microchannel. The microchannel portion adjoins one of the junctions. One or more encapsulating volumes of an encapsulating phase are injected in the main microchannel via one or more of the auxiliary microchannels. The encapsulating phase is immiscible with said single phase. The encapsulated analyte is extracted from the main microchannel via one or more of the auxiliary microchannels.

Microfluidic devices and nanobiosensors comprising a magnetic nanoparticle attached to a reporter molecule via a release unit for microfluidic-based detection of a target analyte in a biological sample. The nanobiosensor can be magnetically manipulated or guided through the microfluidics channels for incubation with the biological sample, concentration of the nanobiosensors, and detection of target analytes, without having to pump the entire initial sample through the microfluidic channel. The magnetic nanoparticles are separated from the reporter molecules before detection and can be re-used.