Bruker timsTOF HT Mass Spectrometer to Support Proteomics Research in the Georgia Tech Core Facilities

Project Summary: We request funds to purchase a Bruker timsTOF HT mass spectrometer with a nanoElute 2 UHPLC system and accompanying operation software for the Systems Mass Spectrometry Core (SyMS-C) proteomics facility (SyMS-C PF) at Georgia Tech, replacing the obsolete Orbitrap instrumentation currently used for proteomics analysis. This essential upgrade will support several existing major and minor NIH-funded users and other proteomics projects across Georgia Tech and surrounding Atlanta labs. The new timsTOF HT instrument, combining ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and mass spectrometry (MS), is backed by literature evidence for performance improvements in proteomics analysis as well as extensive pilot studies conducted by PI Torres' lab. These improvements are crucial for improving the rigor of NIH-funded proteomics studies conducted by the SyMS-C PF using 9 year-old instrumentation that is nearly obsolete and frequently in disrepair. The timsTOF HT LCMS system offers significant enhancements in sensitivity, specificity, selectivity, dynamic range, and throughput, meeting the critical analytical needs of 15 major and minor users at Georgia Tech. The instrument was chosen over other systems based on user needs at Georgia Tech, performance comparisons on core facility samples, the need for accessible IMS instrumentation in the Atlanta area, and favorable pricing that maximizes value for Georgia Tech and NIH. Evidence supporting these factors is detailed in the application to justify acquiring an IMS-MS instrument to serve NIH-sponsored and other users for the next 5 years and beyond. Importantly, strong institutional commitment will provide the requisit service for the entire LCMS system, a technical director with over 12 years of expertise in MS-based proteomics, a research technician to support operations, a dedicated space for sample handling and MS operations, as well as modern AI-based software demonstrated to improve LCMS performance beyond the capacity of stock software alone.