Simple Platform for Automating Decoupled LC–MS Analysis of Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Samples

Hydrogen/deuterium
exchange with mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) is
capable of providing unique insight into complex biological systems
that are difficult to study by other techniques. Due to arduous sample
handling requirements, automating HDX experimentation for higher throughput
requires specialized equipment. While recent advances have enabled
automation of sample preparation and analysis, several proteins of
interest and types of HDX experiments remain incompatible with automated
workflows and require manual sample preparation that greatly limits
experimental throughput. To expand throughput and increase the precision
of HDX-MS for systems requiring manual preparation, we have developed
an inexpensive autosampler capable of thawing and injecting frozen
HDX-MS samples in a highly reproducible manner.

氢氘交换质谱法（Hydrogen/deuterium exchange with mass spectrometry，HDX-MS）能够为其他技术难以研究的复杂生物系统提供独特的研究视角。
由于样品处理要求严苛繁琐，要实现氢氘交换实验的自动化以提升通量，需配备专用实验设备。
尽管近期的技术进展已实现样品制备与分析环节的自动化，但部分目标蛋白及类型的氢氘交换实验仍与自动化工作流程不兼容，需采用手动样品制备方式，这极大限制了实验通量。
为提升需手动制备样品的氢氘交换质谱实验的通量与精度，我们开发了一款低成本自动进样器，能够以极高的重现性对冷冻的氢氘交换质谱样品进行解冻与进样操作。