Tremendous technological developments in proteomics have occurred in the last few years, primarily through the introduction of novel mass spectrometers. Furthermore, novel proteomics approaches, such as gel-free proteomics and labelling techniques, have appeared. Even though more sensitive techniques and instruments have been introduced it is not fully reflected in an overall improvement in sensitivity. This clearly limits the outcomes of proteomics and in particular their usefulness for complex samples and very small sample amounts such as rare cells. We believe that this is due to sub-optimal processing of proteins in part due to the number of steps in proteomic processes, surface losses, and reduction in reaction yield due to dilution of samples. Hence, we have been working on the development of technologies to address these issues. In particular, we recently introduced a prototype of a device, termed the proteomic reactor (Figeys), which reduces and simplifies handling of proteomes, greatly reduces the volume (down to nl) of reactions, and shortens the time for processing samples.

In the first phase, we will develop a set of capillary-based proteomic reactors and a processing fluidic station that will cover the proteomic processing needs from complex samples to single cells. This stand-alone system will be coupled to mass spectrometry and systems based on capillary electrophoresis-fluorescence induced read-out. We will use complex samples, such as plasma, and minute number of cells to illustrate the applicability of these systems. Our goal is to make these first phase systems available for testing at Genome Canada Platforms and academic labs by year two of this proposal. Training sessions are planned for the second year of the proposal. The second phase of the proposal will further improve the performance of the proteomic reactor and expand its applicability using microfabrication technologies to create chip proteomic reactors. Such reactors will have reduced processing volumes, use integrated pumping systems, and have novel surface chemistry and biochemistry, all integrated on the chips. This reactor will be made available to academics and genome Canada platforms by the end of year two and training sessions will occur within the following year.

The two-phase development of the proteomic reactor station and the chip proteomic reactor is the brainchild of a group of scientists from the University of Ottawa (Figeys, Wang, and Bennett), the National Research Council (Pezacki and Veres). We are bringing together international expertise in proteomic technology development, microfabrication technologies, and the biology of rare cells.