New approaches for innovations in sensitive Edman sequence analysis by design of a wafer-based chip sequencer.

In the last few years the development of new mass spectrometric techniques enabled fast and sensitive protein analysis by the introduction of mass spectrometry (MS) fingerprinting and MS/MS sequencing. For these methods mixtures of peptide fragments of the proteins can be employed, whereas the Edman degradation method requests purified peptides. On the other hand, Edman sequencing has the advantages that interpretation of the data is more simple, extended sequences can be derived, and reliable sequence information on unknown proteins is possible. Hence, Edman chemistry as an alternative technique to MS is still valuable. But higher sensitivity of the sequencers is needed in order to meet modern demands, e.g. in proteomics research. We designed a wafer-based chip sequencer for protein and peptide sequencing in the femto- to attomole range. The main advantage of our new design is the complete integration of dead volume free valves together with reactor and converter and volume-measuring loops within one wafer-based system. In this system aggressive chemicals and solvents for the Edman degradation can be delivered in sub-microliter amounts, which allows a considerable shortening of the degradation cycles. Further, we developed sensitive maintenance and tightness tests to prove a precise and reproducible delivery of the chemicals and the reduction of drying times as compared with conventional sequencers. Real parallel processing of several samples can easily be implemented. The system is designed to serve future needs in protein research.