The slide deck that describes a set of high-throughput low-flow LCMS applications and setups using Thermo Scientific UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano system, Q Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer, and EASY-Spray or linear Acclaim PepMap columns. We explain the improvements of ESI MS signal while the flow rate is reduced and address the most important topics for nano- and capillary-flow LCMS applications: robustness, sensitivity, throughput. Additionally to optimizing methods for standard pre-concentration (onto-trap) injection setup we also showcase a novel tandem capillary-flow LCMS setup the is easy-to-use and allows to achieve near 100% MS utilization of MS time.
Behavioral Disorder: Schizophrenia & it's Case Study.pdf
High-throughput capillary-flow LC-MS proteomics with maximum MS utilisation
1. The world leader in serving science
Alexander Boychenko and Chris Pynn
2018-07-26
High-throughput capillary-flow LC-MS proteomics
with maximum MS utilization
2. 2
Content
• The Thermo Fisher LC Portfolio: The right system for every application
• The need for speed in low-flow LC-MS proteomics: high-throughput
low-flow LC-MS solutions
• Capillary-flow LC-MS with 150 µm ID columns
• High-throughput LC-MS with 75 µm ID columns
• 100% MS Utilization with Tandem LC-MS
• Summary
4. 4
Column ID: 50 µm 75 µm 150 µm 300 µm 0.5 mm 1.0 mm …2.1–4.6 mm
Nano: <1.5 µL/min
Capillary: 1–15 µL/min
Micro: 10–100 µL/min
Analytical: >100 µL/min
50 µL/min–5 mL/min
100 µL/min–8 mL/min100–1000
nL/min
50 nL/min–50 µL/min
Sensitivity
Throughput
Based on recommended flow rate
Thermo Scientific™
UltiMate™ 3000 RSLCnano System
Thermo Scientific™
Vanquish™ Horizon System
Thermo
Scientific™
UltiMate™ 3000
Systems
Thermo Scientific™
Vanquish™ Flex and
Vanquish™ Duo UHPLC
Systems
Thermo Scientific™
EASY-nLC™ 1200 System
Thermo Scientific HPLC and UHPLC Systems: LC Portfolio for LC-MS Applications
5. 5
Why do low-flow LC-MS: what are the benefits?
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
0 100 200 300 400 500
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 20 40 60 80 100
CapLC-MS
MicroLC-MS
NanoLC-MS
Analytical LC-MS
Flow rate, µL/min
Sensitivitygainincomparisonwith
analyticalLC-MSat450µL/min
Low flow LC-MS
The sensitivity gains were measured as a relative peak area
averaged for Cytochrome C tryptic peptides
ESI-MS exhibits a mixed behavior of both
concentration and mass-sensitive
detectors
Sensitivity gains (experimental,
relative to 2.1 mm ID)
microLC-MS: 2-4
capLC-MS: 4-50
nanoLC-MS: >50
sub-nanoLC-MS: >100
Reasons
• Improved ionization efficiency
• Smaller droplets
• Increased surface to volume ratio
• Increase of analyte concentration with
decrease of column ID
6. 6
Sensitivity: why is it improved with low-flow LC?
HESI Source Thermo Scientific™
EASY-Spray™ Source
Significant improvements in sensitivity for LC-MS analysis using an
ESI source are observed at flow rates below 5 µL/min
7. 7
Capillary-flow LC with the Thermo Scientific UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano system
Micro flow ternary pump for fast sample
loading in trap and elute experiments
Flow up to 2.5 mL/min, Pressure 620 bar
Near zero sample loss with unique μL
pick-up injections
High precision for sub-μL volume
injections
UHPLC binary capillary flow pump
for robust separations and high
retention time precision
Settable flow up to 50 µL/min
Two low-dispersion snap-in valves
for standardized workflows and
custom column switching
applications
~100 nL port to port volume
Thermo Scientific™ nanoViper™
Fingertight fittings for ease-of-use
and leak prevention
8. 8
The need for speed in low-flow LC-MS proteomics: high-throughput solutions
9. 9
“Triangular” and “rectangular” biomarker discovery and validation pipeline
Throughput
Sensitivity
Discovery
• High number of samples
• Targeted quantification
• Minimal sample preparation
• LC-MS vs. ELISA
• Low number sample
• Multiplexed labelling
• Pooled samples
• Fractionation for deep
quantitative profiling
Analytical flow
LC-MS on 2.1
mm ID column
Nano-flow LC-
MS method on
50-75 µm ID
column
Sub-nano-flow
LC-MS
<100 nL/min
Validation
1000’s samples
1000’s analytes
Discovery
1000’s samples
1000’s analytes
• Similar large cohort size in discovery
and validation
• Same sensitivity and number of targets
• Same robust LC-MS technology for
discovery and validation
• High analytical throughput
10. 10
How to acheive high-throughput with low-flow LCMS?
UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano system
Thermo Scientific™ Q Exactive™
HF-X Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap™
mass spectrometer
HESI probe with 50 µm ID
stainless steel needle
EASY-Spray source
Ion Max source
EASY-Spray transfer line
with 20 µm ID silica
emitter
Capillary column
Q Exactive HF
Capillary flow
UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano
Trap cartridge
Recommended
AlternativeThermo Scientific™ EASY-Spray™
column
150 µm x 150 mm, 2 µm – ES806
75 µm x 150 mm, 3 µm – ES800
Robust & SensitiveEasy-to-use &
• Versatile platform – safe investment
• Fast sample loading with integrated micro-flow
loading pump
• Fast injection routines
• UHPLC capabilities
• Optimized fluidics
• Simple installation and operation
• Low ID and short columns with low internal
volumes
• Temperature control to accommodate
increased flow rates
• High loading and peak capacity
• Fast scan speed to detect very narrow
peaks
• Improved sensitivity at capillary and nano-
flow rates
• Advanced precursor detection and charge
state recognition (APD)
Solutions
introduced
@ASMS2017
@ASMS2018
11. 11
• Translational proteomics and biomarker
validation
• Population monitoring
• Samples characterization for Biobanking
• Food and beverage authentication
• …
Demands for high-throughput low-flow LCMS
Applications Requirements
1.Robustness
2.Sensitivity
3.Throughput
4.Easy handling and setup of fluidic connections
5.Plug & play column consumable with UHPLC
capability
Flow rate, µL/min
Throughput
75 µm ID
150 µm ID
Flow rate, µL/min
Sensitivity
75 µm ID
150 µm ID
• Balance between sensitivity and
throughput
• Higher linear velocity results in higher
throughput, but lower sensitivity
• Ultra-fast low flow methods requires the
operation of low ID columns at maximum
possible linear velocity
12. 12
Capillary-flow LC-MS with 150 µm ID columns
150 µm x 150
mm, 2 µm
ES806
Q Exactive HF-X
UltiMate 3000
RSLCnano system Flow rate, µL/min
75 µm
150 µm
Sensitivity
13. 13
Direct injection: how to get it right?
3 1.2 3
Flow rate, µL/min
Sample loading Column washing
and equilibration
0.0E+00
2.0E+08
4.0E+08
6.0E+08
8.0E+08
1.0E+09
1.2E+09
1.4E+09
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Signal
%B
Time, min
Sample loop is switched offline
to reduce delay volume and is
washed to avoid carryover
Peptide separation
14. 14
Single shot capLC-MS analysis
3,507
3,813
4,392
4,060
4,301
4,826
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
1 ug 2 ug 5ug
Proteingroups
21002
23918
2573426708
28515
30529
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
1 ug 2 ug 5ug
Peptidegroups
• Deep proteome coverage with single shot analysis
(>4000 protein groups in 60 min)
• Comparable to nanoLC-MS performance with
increased sample loading
0 20 40 60 80
Signal
Time, min
Direct injection
60 and 90 min cycle time
24 and 18 samples per day
60min
90min
60min
90min
60min
90min
60min
90min
60min
90min
60min
90min
15. 15
Quantitative reproducibility
4578 4550 4553
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
29307 29552 30448
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
RSD=1.8% RSD=1.9%
Durable response factor
4578 4520 4209
85%
79%
87%
Injection
1
Injection
350
Injection
1000
Long-term quantitative performance
Protein Groups Peptide Groups
Quantified,
CV <20%
Column to column reproducibility
Protein Groups
• Excellent column-to-column consistency was
observed, including coverage of >4500 proteins,
and ~30000 peptides all with RSD <2% between
columns
• Comparable proteome coverage and quantitative
precision was observed throughout the 1000
injection experiment
16. 16
Where to find more information about capLC-MS?
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
More information on our web-page
https://www.thermofisher.com/nanoLCMS
17. 17
High-throughput LC-MS with 75 µm ID columns
75 µm x 150 mm, 3 µm
PN ES800
Q Exactive HF-X Flow rate, µL/min
Throughput
75 µm
150 µm
18. 18
How to maximize low-flow LC-MS throughput?
Delay volume is around
1.0 µL
100nL
70nL
300nL
70nL
100nL
150nL
400nL
Back
Flush
100nL
Gradient delay volume is
below 300 nL
Total internal volume ~ 1 µL
ES800
75 µm x 150 mm, 3 µm
Separation pump
+
Column compartment
+
Micro-flow loading pump
Autosampler
• Low gradient delay volume
• Low total internal volume
• High linear velocity – low delay time
• Fast and precise gradient formation
Nano-flow standard Pre-concentration kit
19. 19
High-throughput low-flow LC method explained
Fast injection routine (< 1 min)
Fast sample loading onto the column
with micro-flow loading pump (6 sec
@150 µL/min)
Parallel sample elution and fluidic
washing steps
Parallel column washing/equilibration
and sampler injection routine
20. 20
Typical BPC and TIC chromatograms
Wide peptide elution window Extremely low carryover
Zoom in
21. 21
Robustness of High-throughput LC-MS Method
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
0 30 60 90 120 150 180
Injection No.
Protein groups PSMs
MS/MS Peptide groups
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0 30 60 90 120 150 180
Retentiontime,min
Injection No.
0
1
2
3
4
0 30 60 90 120 150 180
PWHM,sec
Injection No.
[K].LTDcVVMR.[D] [K].SLTNDWEDHLAVK.[H]
[K].STELLIR.[K] [K].TVTAMDVVYALK.[R]
[K].VDNDENEHQLSLR.[T] [K].VNQIGSVTESIQAcK.[L]
[R].EDSQRPGAHLTVK.[K] [R].TVSLGAGAK.[D]
Protein groups
Peptide groups PSMs
MS/MS
0.0E+00
1.0E+07
2.0E+07
3.0E+07
4.0E+07
5.0E+07
0.E+00
2.E+06
4.E+06
6.E+06
8.E+06
1.E+07
0 30 60 90 120 150 180
Area
Area
Injection No.
Retention time Peak area
PWHM
SD < 0.1 min
PWHM < 3 sec
RSD < 10%
Maximum speed
TOP 40
MS2 7.5K
IT MS2 14 sec
22. 22
How do we outperform competitors?
14.4 minutes
8 minutes
Vendor “E”
UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano
180 samples/day
MS utilization – 75% per run
100 samples/day
MS utilization – 42% per run
SignalSignal
0 71 62 53 4
Previous
injection
Next
injection
Previous
injection
Next
injection
1 min
3 min
UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano system
compared to Vendor “E”:
Almost double the throughput
Higher peak capacity
More equal peptide distribution
24. 24
2 x 75 µm x 150 mm,
3 µm; PN 164568
Q Exactive HF-XTandem Pre-concentration setup with
UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano system
Flow rate, µL/min
Throughput
75 µm
150 µm
100% MS Utilization with Tandem LC-MSTandem low-flow LCMS for maximum MS utilization
25. 25
Enhanced Productivity with Tandem low-flow LC
• Tandem nano LC is applied to increase throughput.
• Analyte separation is carried out on two columns in an alternating fashion
• While one column is used for separation the other is washed and re-equilibrated for the next run
• Tandem nano LC employed for long gradient / deep dive proteomics applications run on long columns,
enables multiple washing steps to be carried out on the offline column.
Tandem operation – Separation matches washing and
equilibration
Cleaning operation -Long gradient for separation
on Column A is combined with consecutive short
gradients for washing column B
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 11 21 31 41 51 61
71
81
91
101
111
121
Column A Column B
0
20
40
60
80
100
1 11 21 31 41 51 61
71
81
91
101
111
121
Column A Column B
%,B
%,B
26. 26
High throughput low-flow Tandem LC setup
to ESI MS
waste
waste
Separation pump Equilibration pump
Separation pump
+
Column compartment
+
Micro-flow loading pump
Equilibration pump
Autosampler
3 pumps
2 nano columns
2 trap cartridges
2 switching valves
One
LC-MS
method
27. 27
Tandem low-flow LC-MS method explained
Peptide elution window: ~ 6.5 min
Column 1, cycle time: 7 min
Method duration and raw file length: 7 min
Prepare for
next injection
routine
Sample loop
strong solvent
wash
Trap 2 strong
solvent wash
& equilibration
Done in parallel
with loading pump,
syringe, 2nd nano
pump
Sampler wash
between
reinjections
Sample load
onto trap 2
Sample
transfer to 2nd
column
Column 2 washing Column 2 equilibration
Trap 2 washing
Next gradient
on column 2
Previous
gradient on
column 2
Look ahead injections: sample is
loaded onto the second trap
cartridge in parallel with current
run
Trap cartridge is washed with
strong wash solvent using micro-
flow pump
Injection fluidics is washed in
parallel with peptide separation
The delay in peptide elution is
removed by intelligent use of
post column flow diversion
Method can be fully adapted
according to the required
gradient length
The same pump is used for
separation on column 1 and
column 2
30. 30
Conclusions
• Time is Money!
• There is an increasing demand for speed, sensitivity and MS utility in LC-MS applications in industrial and translational
proteomics and beyond
• The UltiMate solution for all your low-flow needs
• The UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano is uniquely capable of delivering ultra high throughput, low-flow applications due to its:
• Integrated micro-flow pump for high speed online sample loading and desalting and trap and loop washing
• Wide pressure / flow footprint of 50 nL/min to 50 µL/min at up to 900 bar column pressure
• Robust pressure stable tool free industry leading nanoViper connections
• Offering high throughput AND sensitivity
• High through-put low-flow LC-MS methods using nano columns and capillary flow rates yield uncompromising levels of
speed and sensitivity whilst delivering as yet unseen levels of MS utility
• Make the most of your MS with Tandem low-flow LCMS
• Tandem LC-MS is possible through the simple addition of a low-flow pump and column set
• Intelligent method control combined with look ahead injections enable continuous back-to-back MS data generation for
the first time in the history of low-flow LC-MS
31. 31
• Complete with schematics, method
parameters and example data
Last but not least…. The ALL NEW
• Comprehensive and
easy to follow
• Detailed information from
instrument setup to best
practices
• Available for free download on the RSLCnano webpage
• https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/ULTIM3000RSLCNANO
• And as a hard copy shipped with each application kit
• UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano Standard Applications Manual (V 3.0)