The European Patent Office grants ETHZ and CovalX a new patent for protein interaction analysis by MALDI mass spectrometry

Zürich - November 30th 2010.

The European Patent Office has granted a European Patent (06 721 947.7) to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ, Zürich) and CovalX AG (Schlieren), claiming for the use of chemical cross-linking in combination with MALDI mass spectrometry for the direct analysis of protein-protein interactions.

The method of the invention allows the direct analysis of non-covalent complexes in a very broad mass range (currently up to 2 MDa) with nM sensitivity. The method can be applied in most formulation and experimental buffers and allows to characterize the stoechiometry of any protein-protein interaction, with the accuracy of mass spectrometry.

The method takes benefits of specially developed cross-linking molecules, allowing fast and efficient stabilization of the non covalent complexes and a unique high-mass detection system allowing nM detection of the complexes up to 2 MDa.

The Method has been supported by more than 20 peer reviewed scientific articles coming from a large number of renowned institutes arround the world. Direct analysis of hydrophobic protein complexes, therapeutic protein aggregates or inhibitors of protein interaction are now possible using the patented method.

 

 

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