Proteomics, Genomics & Microarrays
New MS platforms advance proteomics and biopharma
Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched two high-performance mass spectrometers at ASMS 2025: the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Astral™ Zoom and the Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Excedion™ Pro. Both systems offer significant gains in speed, sensitivity, and analytical depth for researchers working in proteomics, omics, and biologics development.
The Orbitrap Astral Zoom builds on the original Astral platform with 35% faster scan speeds, 40% higher throughput, and improved multiplexing capabilities. These upgrades enhance data quality and enable deeper proteome coverage - features welcomed by researchers working on early disease detection and precision oncology.
According to Dr Yu-Ju Chen of Academia Sinica, the Astral Zoom could mark “a paradigm shift for proteomics,” enabling more comprehensive biomarker discovery in clinical research.
Meanwhile, the Orbitrap Excedion Pro brings together next-generation Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometry with new fragmentation methods to improve the analysis of complex biologics, including monoclonal antibodies. With greater dynamic range and resolution, the system supports detailed profiling of proteins and post- translational modifications - critical for accelerating biologic drug development.
Both instruments were unveiled at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry’s annual meeting in Baltimore. Alongside the launches, Thermo Fisher highlighted its broader ecosystem for protein research, including affinity-based proteomics technologies from Olink.
More information online:
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Demonstration video shows automated peptide synthesis in action
A new demonstration video from Vapourtec showcases how its patented Variable Bed Flow Reactor (VBFR) is transforming solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) - offering fully automated workflows, sharper process control, and higher purity crude peptides.
The video walks viewers through an SPPS cycle, starting with the swelling of Tentagel S resin in DMF and continuing through Fmoc deprotection using 20% piperidine in DMF. A visible decrease in resin volume, tracked in real time by the reactor’s volume graph and a UV signal at 365 nm, marks this deprotection step with a clear Fmoc peak.
Next, activated amino acids are added, triggering resin expansion. Viewers can observe this as a darker orange reagent slug flows through the reactor. Unlike traditional systems that rely on recirculation, the VBFR delivers reagents in a single pass - a key innovation that reduces side reactions and improves product purity.
With automated cycles of Fmoc deprotection and amino acid coupling, the VBFR allows precise control of resin bed conditions, eliminating problems like channelling or dilution. The system also responds dynamically to peptide sequence challenges: during synthesis of the GLP-1 sequence, aggregation during the F and E residue coupling steps is detected and controlled by elevating the reaction temperature, reducing the severity of aggregation compared to batch or ambient methods.
“The intuitive software interface gives researchers live feedback on UV absorbance and resin volume, so they can stay focused on results rather than constant monitoring,” explained Vapourtec Research Scientist Victoire Laude.
More information online:
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Advanced NGS panel improves residual AML disease detection
OGT has launched the SureSeq Myeloid MRD Panel, a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay designed for highly sensitive detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) biomarkers in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This panel enhances the detection of ultra-low frequency variants, including large and complex FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITDs), which are often missed by traditional PCR-based methods.
Accurate MRD detection is essential for improving clinical research and patient management in AML. Studies show that MRD negativity is linked to better long-term survival, making sensitive detection critical for understanding remission and relapse. The SureSeq panel targets 13 key AML biomarkers, expanding the ability to characterise the disease status with unprecedented resolution.
The panel’s hybrid capture technology delivers reliable detection of complex structural variants and avoids the inaccuracies common with PCR- based enrichment. OGT’s advanced bait design ensures robust identification of large FLT3-ITDs - up to 300 base pairs - providing insights that were previously difficult to obtain.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the SureSeq panel supports multiple pre-optimised workflows that can be tailored for sensitivity, sample batching, and sequencing needs. It includes complementary bioinformatics software, Interpret, which offers customisable analysis pipelines, reducing the bioinformatics burden for labs.
Researchers have praised the panel’s performance, noting its ability to detect all variants found by comparator assays plus additional clinically relevant mutations, enabling more comprehensive MRD analysis.
More information online:
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The Spotlight could be on you!
Contact Gwyneth Astles on +44 (0)1727 855574 or email:
gwyneth@intlabmate.com
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