New µPAC Neo HPLC Column Delivers Improved Separation Performance

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, is providing proteomics and biopharmaceutical research laboratories with a new micro-pillar array column as part of an end-to-end LC-MS workflow that will simplify complex bottom-up proteomics analyses.

The Thermo Scientific µPAC Neo HPLC Column will initially be available to pre-order exclusively with the Thermo Scientific Vanquish Neo UHPLC System and Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Mass Spectrometers, delivering a comprehensive, single-solution LC-MS workflow complete with a detailed startup protocol. This helps users accelerate their experimental setup with the reassurance of high-level performance across every component of the workflow.

The new column delivers exceptional separation performance over a wide range of flow rates, offering the ultra-high resolution needed to extract maximum information from complex samples. As a result, laboratories will be able to identify a greater number of proteins and peptides in their proteomics experiments. Manufactured using the same lithographic mask, each column is close to identical, providing better column-to-column consistency and extended product lifetime relative to packed-bed column alternatives. The reduced need for column changes and resultant increased system up-time means method development, validation, and large-scale studies will be significantly more streamlined. Furthermore, exceptional ease-of-use is assured by a suite of additional features, including the Thermo Scientific NanoViper Fingertight Fittings that enable swift, reliable connections that reduce errors and the need for repeat analysis.

“Proteomics researchers are demanding ever-greater sample coverage and improved protein identification to effectively advance their research. At the same time, the requirement for multiple columns in such studies raises the issue of consistent performance—especially when using traditional packed-bed columns,” said Remco Swart, director of marketing, chromatography consumables, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The Thermo Scientific µPAC Neo HPLC Column overcomes these challenges by pairing powerful separation capabilities with dependable column-to-column reproducibility. Cross-column data comparison is simplified, and confidence in interpreting results and drawing conclusions is restored.”

Karl Mechtler, head of Protein Chemistry Facility of The Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) and head of Mass Spectrometry at Vienna BioCenter Core Facility, Vienna, Austria, said, “In the field of LC-MS based proteomics, increases in sampling depth and proteome coverage have mainly been accomplished by rapid advances in mass spectrometer technology. The comprehensiveness and quality of data that can be generated do, however, also depend on the performance provided by nano liquid chromatography (nanoLC) separations. Proper selection of reversed-phase separation columns can be of paramount importance to provide the MS instrument with peptides at the highest possible concentration and separated at the highest possible resolution. With the micro pillar array column (µPAC) designed for universal use in bottom-up proteomics, we demonstrated the potential for single-shot proteomics workflows.”