Proteomics is a comprehensive scientific discipline focused on studying the complete set of proteins within a biological system. It involves the identification, quantification, and functional analysis of the protein repertoire in an organism, aiming to gain a holistic understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of biological systems. Proteomics employs a range of methodologies, including mass spectrometry, molecular biology techniques, and computational tools, to unravel the expression levels, interaction networks, and functional roles of proteins. By exploring the proteome, scientists seek to uncover insights into cell biology, disease mechanisms, and drug discovery, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of life sciences.
Acceptable Sample Types
- Animal Tissues: Regular tissues (e.g., brain, heart, liver, kidney, muscle, etc.), hard tissues (e.g., skin, blood vessels, cartilage, hair, etc.)
- Plant Tissues: Soft tissues (e.g., leaves, flowers of woody plants, herbaceous plants, algae, ferns, etc.), hard tissues (e.g., roots, bark, branches, fruits, seeds, etc.)
- Cells
- Microorganisms: Common bacteria, fungal bodies (precipitated bodies)
- Fluids: Such as plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, synovial fluid, puncture fluid, ascites, milk, etc.
- Pure Proteins
- Secreted Proteins (TMT, DIA, 4D-Proteomics)
- FFPE (Label-free, TMT, PRM, 4D-Proteomics)
- Samples after IP/Pull down (TMT, DIA, 4D-Proteomics)
Learn More
- To learn more about recommended sample volumes and sample preparation guidelines, view the article: Proteomic Sample Preparation Guidelines for Biological Mass Spectrometry.
Sample Packaging Guidelines
Mark the sample number and type on the surface of the aluminum foil or cryogenic storage tube using an oil-based marker. Avoid contact with organic solvents such as ethanol.
Do not directly wrap samples with gauze or paper; instead, use aluminum foil or cryogenic storage tubes before placing them in sample bags.
Do not use glass containers to store samples in liquid nitrogen, and avoid using transparent tape in sample packaging.
Avoid placing label paper or other paper-based instructional documents inside sample bags, as paper becomes fragile in liquid nitrogen.
Affix label paper to the rope of the sample bag, not on the container's surface, to prevent labels from falling off and causing sample confusion.
Avoid overloading a single sample bag to ensure it fits into liquid nitrogen tanks and can be easily retrieved. Pre-cool sample bags in liquid nitrogen before use.
When filling out the "Sample Registration Form," provide detailed descriptions, especially for clinical samples, including sample type, treatment methods, storage conditions, and storage time. This information helps technicians determine a reasonable experimental plan.
Sample Storage Guidelines
After rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen, immediately place sample-carrying cryogenic tubes or aluminum foil into a -80°C freezer.
For tissue samples, quickly transfer them into high-quality, imported cryogenic tubes with a threaded mouth that withstands temperatures as low as -192°C. Tighten immediately and place in liquid nitrogen, then transfer to a -80°C freezer. Failure to tighten may lead to liquid nitrogen entering the tube, causing an explosion due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Store tissue samples in liquid nitrogen or a -80°C freezer. For samples stored in liquid nitrogen, avoid using Eppendorf tubes and domestically produced cryogenic tubes, as they are prone to cracking when removed from liquid nitrogen. It is recommended to use the cryogenic tubes mentioned in point 2. If necessary, use sealing film to block EP tubes to prevent explosions (not recommended unless absolutely necessary, as it may compromise sample integrity).
Sample Transportation Guidelines
The upper limit for dry ice transportation by air is approximately 2 kilograms; exceeding this limit may result in transportation restrictions.
For dry ice transportation, use thick-walled and intact foam boxes, store materials in numbered cryogenic tubes, wrap them in plastic bags, and bury them in dry ice. Seal the foam box tightly with tape and place it inside an outer cardboard box to prevent breakage. Clearly label the box with "Handle with Care" to ensure safe transportation.
Entrust dry ice transportation to local courier companies, aiming for delivery within 48 hours. If door-to-door delivery is not possible, notify the relevant personnel in advance.
For 24-hour delivery, the total amount of dry ice must not be less than 5 kilograms; for 48-hour delivery, the total amount must not be less than 8 kilograms. In summer, it is advisable to increase the dry ice amount by 1.5 times. Avoid using large or completely powdered dry ice blocks; instead, use small cylindrical dry ice, as heavier blocks may compress sample boxes in transit, leading to breakage. If only large dry ice blocks are available, crush them into smaller pieces before packing.
When packaging, it is recommended to use a large plastic bag to wrap the dry ice and place it in the box. This can effectively slow down the evaporation rate of dry ice. Choose a foam box with a suitable size and thick walls, and wrap it in clear tape in both the vertical and horizontal directions. It is best to cover the outer walls of the foam box with tape to prevent breakage due to squeezing and tossing during transportation. After covering the entire foam box with tape, to prevent excessive sealing and strong airtightness, and to avoid the foam box from bursting due to the high pressure generated by the evaporation of dry ice, use a craft knife or other thin-blade tool to puncture a small slit of 1-2 centimeters at the junction of the foam box lid and the box body to release gas in case of high pressure.
If entrusting a courier for transportation, track the status of the goods throughout the transport process, record the waybill number, and maintain contact with the courier companies at both the sending and receiving ends.
Other Considerations
If customers provide cryopreserved, recoverable cell lines, they should first validate the reliability of the cryopreservation method for protein extraction. Detailed revival methods should be provided during sample submission to ensure experimental success.
All samples should be clearly labeled with accurate sample numbers and accompanied by a sample registration form specifying sample name, species, number, sampling date, and sample processing details.
Protein Quality and Quantity:
a. The quantity of proteins in samples at different developmental stages and under different growth conditions varies. Proteins in samples obtained under certain experimental conditions or from pathological sites may significantly differ from corresponding standard samples.
b. Storage conditions and duration are crucial factors affecting protein quality and quantity. Generally, expected protein yields are obtained from fresh samples, with modified proteins (e.g., phosphorylated, acetylated, methylated, glycosylated proteins) having relatively higher levels and being more easily detectable. Unreliable samples are those not stored in liquid nitrogen or a -80°C freezer, as modified proteins and low-abundance proteins are prone to substantial degradation. Therefore, low-temperature storage is strongly recommended.
Regarding Backup:
To ensure smooth experiments, it is strongly recommended to backup 2-3 samples during sample collection. If backing up 3 samples, send us two, and if backing up 2 samples, submit one to us while keeping one for yourself, in case of sample degradation or delays in resampling or submission. Even if all samples pass, backup samples can be used for other experiments (e.g., quantitative PCR validation, DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, proteomics, and other biochemical experiments, etc.). Backup samples come in two types: strict backup, where the sample is split into two equal parts after collection, and non-strict backup, representing biological replicates with lower homogeneity than the former.
Sample Shipping Guidelines
Place collected samples in the corresponding collection tubes. To prevent sample confusion, write the number on both the tube cap and tube wall, and seal with sealing film.
Put the samples in self-sealing bags, fill out the sample details on the submission form (ensuring strict consistency with tube information), and place the completed sample form and samples together in a suitable foam box containing ice packs (preferably with a small amount of dry ice).
Choose a properly sized foam box with walls greater than 4 cm and good sealing. Wrap the foam box in transparent tape in both vertical and horizontal directions to prevent cracking during transportation.
Proteinomics Service in Creative Proteomics
Quantitative Proteomics: Quantitative proteomics involves qualitative and quantitative analysis of all corresponding proteins expressed in the genome or the entire proteome of a complex system. This category includes iTRAQ/TMT-labeled quantitative proteomics, label-free quantitative proteomics, label-free proteomics (DDA mode), label-free proteomics (DIA mode), and PRM-targeted proteomics.
Modified Proteomics: Post-translational modification proteomics studies the impact of protein modifications occurring after translation on biological activities. This category encompasses phosphorylation-modified proteomics, acetylation-modified proteomics, ubiquitination-modified proteomics, glycosylation-modified proteomics, methylation-modified proteomics, lactylation-modified proteomics, and succinylation/isobutyrylation/2-hydroxyisobutyrylation-modified proteomics, among others.
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