Meilahti Proteomics Unit Guidelines
Guidelines for LC-MS/MS Sample Preparation. Sample preparation is a critical step in LC-MS/MS analysis, as it directly impacts the accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the results. Below are general guidelines for such purpose.
Recommendations for sample preparation before sending
- For solid tissue samples (e.g. tissues or organs), it is recommended to collect samples in reinforced tubes (eg. Precellys Ref: P000943-LYSKO-A) to allow efficient homogenisation. Such tubes are available at the MPU facility for customers in the Helsinki region.
- Avoid potential interferences (e.g. detergents, salts, protease inhibitors, and protein contaminants (keratins, albumin, and milk proteins, etc…) that may affect the results. If the presence of these interfering reagents (salts and detergents) is unavoidable, then try to have as high protein concentration as possible e.g. > 10 ug/ul.
- Gel stains must be MS compatible especially silver stains.
- Cell pellet is preferable to have minimal amounts of liquid with it.
- It is recommended to use low-bind tubes for other biological samples than tissue/organs.
- Delivered samples must be free from biological, chemical and radiological hazards.
- The sample submission form must be filled in and signed by the supervisor before the analysis starts.
- Engineered proteins (such as fusion proteins) of which the full sequences are not available in public databases should be communicated in text or FASTA format (single letter amino acid code).
- The more info we have about the project and the samples, the better for good analysis results.