A platform for next-generation comprehensive proteome analysis: liquid chromatography trapped-ion-mobility time- of-flight (LC-timsTOF) mass spectrometry.

The purpose of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the- art Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) Proteomics Platform at the VUB. This facility will be enabled by the acquisition of a state-of-the-art LC coupled to a trapped ion-mobility - time-of-flight (timsTOF) MS
combined with specialist expertise, aimed to complement the world-leading genomic life-science research at the VUB to fully characterize complex biological systems with multi- omic data. The LC-MS platform will be optimized towards unprecedented resolving power and ultra-high detection sensitivity for deep proteome profiling and comprehensive intact-protein analysis. The fundamental interdisciplinary research tracks pursued are i) Breaking boundaries in ultra- high-performance LC-MS/MS bioanalysis; ii) Deep proteome profiling of the systemic pathophysiology of multi-organ cancers; iii) Comprehensive characterization of diagnostic biomarkers for novel vaccine development; iv) Characterization of native and recombinant proteins samples for structural characterization; and v) Unravelling the effect of changing environmental conditions on microbial proteomes. In addition, highly robust sample preparation and LC-MS workflows will be established to pursue internal and external valorization. The proteomics platform will aid in unravelling biological processes, that
will accelerate early-stage clinical diagnostics and lead to novel therapy regimes and transform classical petrochemical to a biobased industry.