Major Investment Sharpens Iowa State’s Focus on Proteins Research

Amanda Brockman, research scientist, and Joel Nott, manager of the Protein Facility, with the Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer.

Iowa State University is advancing the study of proteomics—the large-scale analysis of proteins in organisms—with the purchase of a $1.2 million Thermo Fisher Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer.

Proteins, the molecular engines of life, are required for structure, function and regulation of nearly all processes in living organisms. Understanding their roles is critical to medical advances, enhancing food security and elucidating biological functions.

The Office of Biotechnology’s acquisition of the Orbitrap Astral makes Iowa State the first institution outside a medical school to offer this state-of-the-art technology. It elevates the university to the forefront of global proteomics research by enhancing the capabilities of the Protein Facility to support research in fields ranging from animal science to cellular biology. The facility anticipates a significant increase in research collaborations both from Iowa State laboratories across campus and public and private research labs around the world, as Iowa State continues to be the trusted partner for proactive and innovative solutions.

“Speed of data acquisition is just one of the big advantages this new instrument brings,” said Joel Nott, manager at the Protein Facility. “Run to run time and sample carryover is greatly reduced due to the enhanced liquid chromatography system.  Acquisition speed on the mass spectrometer is over an order of magnitude greater than our previous instrument.”

In addition, the results are far more detailed. Previously, analyzing pooled biological samples revealed only the most commonly expressed proteins. The Orbitrap Astral has a greater sensitivity and dynamic range, enabling researchers to detect subtle variations in protein expression and post-translational modifications.

“Before, we could identify 1,000 to 2,000 proteins in a two-hour run; now we can identify 6,000 proteins in a 15-minute run. The increased sensitivity and dynamic range will be very useful to our researchers. Often the most interesting findings are present in lower levels,” said Nott.

Proteomics vs. genomics

While the genome, made up of an organism’s DNA, acts as the instruction manual for life, the proteome captures the proteins that carry out those instructions—revealing the ever-changing machinery driving cellular processes in real time. Proteins have a tremendous potential to give biologic insights because they function inside and outside of cells. They drive chemical reactions, regulate the activity of the immune system, and they funnel information through different areas of the organism.

Proteomics in Action

Steven Lonergan, Morrill Professor of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, anticipates a boost in productivity of his proteomics research with the Orbitrap Astral. His lab studies mechanisms controlling muscle growth and meat quality, aiming to discover new pathways to efficiently produce high quality meat products.

“The enhanced performance of the Orbitrap Astral will significantly elevate our protein analysis capabilities,” Lonergan said. “With improved resolution and scan speed, we expect a substantial acceleration to discovery supporting development of applications to serve livestock producers and consumers.”

Carver Charitable Trust Enables Purchase

The Orbitrap Astral was primarily funded by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust of Muscatine, Iowa with supplemental funds from the Office of Biotechnology and the Office of the Vice President for Research at Iowa State.

“The Carver Trust’s support was essential to making this happen,” said Peter Dorhout, vice president for research at Iowa State. “The trust’s commitment to advancing animal health, food production, and biotechnology research is unmatched in Iowa. Their investment in ISU’s capabilities will have a long-lasting impact on fundamental and applied research, training the biotech workforce, and advancing private sector partnerships to improve people’s lives as we forge new frontiers.”

The Carver Charitable Trust is one of Iowa’s largest private philanthropic foundations, with $400 million in assets and $16 million in annual grant distributions. Established through the will of industrialist and philanthropist Roy J. Carver, who died in 1981, the trust continues to support transformative projects across the state.