Proteomic Research – Why a Sonicator is Indispensable for Sample Preparation

Proteomic research gives deep insights into cell biology and widens our understanding of biological systems by enabling the comprehensive analysis of proteins and their functions. Central to the success of proteomic studies is the preparation of high-quality samples, which often involves complex and labor-intensive sample preparation. Sonication is a well-established and powerful tool for sample preparation, offering numerous advantages over traditional methods. Various sonicator models such as probe-type sonicators, the VialTweeter, and the UIP400MTP high-throughput plate-sonicator offer unique advantages in proteomic sample processing and pave the way for reliable, reproducible research results.

Why Do I Need a Sonicator for my Proteomic Research?

In the field of proteomic research, the need for a sonicator stems from the critical importance of achieving high-quality samples for analysis. The use of sonication in proteomic research is essential for achieving reliable and reproducible results by ensuring efficient cell lysis, improved protein extraction, homogenization of complex samples, facilitated enzymatic digestion, reduction of sample contamination, and high-throughput processing capabilities.
 
The Importance of Sample Preparation in Proteomics: Achieving reliable and reproducible results in proteomic experiments hinges upon meticulous sample preparation. From cell lysis to protein extraction and purification, each step must be executed with precision to minimize artifacts and ensure sample integrity. However, conventional methods such as mechanical disruption and chemical lysis often fall short in delivering the desired outcomes due to issues like incomplete extraction, protein degradation, and sample contamination.

Ultrasonication: A Game-Changer in Proteomic Sample Preparation

Ultrasonication, the process of using high-frequency sound waves to disrupt biological samples, has emerged as a game-changer in proteomic sample preparation. By harnessing the power of acoustic energy, sonicators facilitate rapid and efficient cell lysis, protein extraction, and enzymatic digestion, leading to higher yields and improved sample purity.

Sample Preparation Tasks Facilitated by Sonication

• Cell Lysis and Protein Extraction: Sonicators are ideal for cell lysis and protein extraction due to its versatility and precision. By delivering controlled bursts of ultrasonic energy, a sonicators effectively disrupts cell membranes, releasing intracellular proteins without compromising their integrity. This is particularly valuable in proteomic studies requiring intact protein structures for downstream analysis, such as protein-protein interaction studies and structural proteomics.
• High-Throughput Sample Processing: The UIP400MTP plate sonicator offers unparalleled efficiency in high-throughput proteomic sample processing. By leveraging ultrasonic energy in a multi-well plate format, the UIP400MTP enables simultaneous sonication of multiple samples, drastically reducing processing time and labor costs. This is especially beneficial in large-scale proteomic studies requiring rapid screening of sample libraries or high sample throughput for biomarker discovery and validation.
• Increased Yields after Protein Precipitation: Protein precipitation is commonly used in downstream processing of biological samples in order to concentrate proteins and purify them from various contaminants. Sonication has been demonstrated as effective technique for resuspension to increase protein yields when trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitated proteins where subsequently sonicated. Sonication of the samples, after TCA precipitation followed by elution in sample buffer, increases total protein recovery, and improves reproducibility and matching ratios.
• Sample Homogenization and Buffer Mixing: Sonication facilitates sample homogenization, cell solubilization and buffer mixing in proteomics workflows.

The Best Sonicator for my Proteomic Samples

Hielscher Ultrasonics offers various sonicator models, whose designs make the ideal sample preparation possible.
Whether you need to sonicate small or high sample numbers, minute or large volumes – Hielscher has the most suitable sonicator for your protein-related application.

Vials and Beakers – The Probe-type Sonicator: The classic probe-type sonicator is used widely as a lab homogenizer for smaller sample numbers, when single samples in vials or beakers are processes. The lab homogenizers UP50H or UP100H with micro-tip are typical probe-/horn-sonicators used for direct ultrasonication of sample.

96-Well Plates/ Microtiter Plates – The UIP400MTP Plate-Sonicator: With increasing sample numbers and the use of multiwells and microplates with 96 , 384 or 1536 wells, UIP400MTP high-throughput plate sonicator allow for streamlined simultaneous sonication and agitation of multiple samples, ensuring gentle, yet efficient protein isolation as well as thorough mixing and uniform dispersion of reagents. This is particularly advantageous in proteomic experiments involving complex sample matrices or multiple sample preparations, where homogeneity is critical for accurate and reproducible results.

Up to 10 Vials – The VialTweeter: If you work with several vials such as Eppendorf tubes at a time, the VialTweeter is the tool of your choice. The VialTweeter offers a unique design which allows to sonicate up to 10 closed vials or tubes simultaneously. Cross-contamination and air-borne contamination is completely avoided.

Several Vials or Single Vessels – The CupHorn: The UP200St_TD-Cuphorn is a powerful sonicator, which enables you to process either several vials simultaneously using the vial holder or to place an individual vessel into the CupHorn water bath.

We Are Here to Help

Our technical staff are experts in ultrasonics and well-versed in recommending you the most suitable sonicator that fulfils your requirements and turns your research into success. As sonicators have become indispensable tools in proteomic research, offering unparalleled efficiency, versatility, and reproducibility in sample preparation, Hielscher makes sure that sonication is most effective and reliable providing you the perfect sonicator model. From cell lysis to protein extraction and beyond, ultrasonication overtakes traditional methods, empowering researchers to push the boundaries of proteomic science. As proteomic research continues to evolve, sonicators are a major sample prep tool, contributing to reliable resultsa and helping to understand the complex world of proteins and their functions.

Design, Manufacturing and Consulting – Quality Made in Germany

Hielscher ultrasonicators are well-known for their highest quality and design standards. Robustness and easy operation allow the smooth integration of our ultrasonicators into industrial facilities. Rough conditions and demanding environments are easily handled by Hielscher ultrasonicators.

Hielscher Ultrasonics is an ISO certified company and put special emphasis on high-performance ultrasonicators featuring state-of-the-art technology and user-friendliness. Of course, Hielscher ultrasonicators are CE compliant and meet the requirements of UL, CSA and RoHs.

The table below gives you an indication of the approximate processing capacity of our lab ultrasonicators, which are ideal for sample preparation tasks such as DNA and RNA fragmentation, cell lysis as well as DNA and protein isolation: