(image courtesy of MicrOmics Technologies)
In analytical chemistry, many analytical tests are designed to analyze a sample from a large pool of material. A water sample from a lake. An air sample from the atmosphere. A blood sample from a human. A single tablet from a drug bottle.
But what if the sample you want to analyze is the entirety of the material? And what if the volume is in the low to sub-picoliter volume? This is exactly the challenge faced by researchers doing single cell proteomic analysis.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Xiaofeng Xie, co-founder from MicrOmics Technologies and learn more about how their team is working to make the challenging task of single-cell proteomics accessible to the wider industry.
The Genesis of MicrOmics
MicrOmics traces its roots back to the academic work of Professor Ryan Kelly (co-founder of MicrOmics) at Brigham Young University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with ultrasensitive electrospray emitter and nanoPOTS (Nanodroplet Processing in One-pot for Trace Samples). Xiaofeng Xie, who joined Brigham Young University (BYU) for his PhD and graduated in 2016, played a pivotal role in the company's formation. Initially working under the mentorship of Milton Lee, Xie honed his skills in instrumentation and prototyping. His trajectory took a pivotal turn during the pandemic in 2020, when he crossed paths with Ryan Kelly, whose pioneering work in single-cell proteomics sparked Xie's interest. This collaboration marked the beginning of MicrOmics' journey to commercialize cutting-edge single-cell proteomics technology.
MicrOmics' continued partnership with the university has enabled it to make substantial progress that would not be possible otherwise. Not only does BYU allow access to high-end mass spectrometry equipment, but MicrOmics also has the opportunity to engage with curious and innovative students that are interested in working on real-life applications while pursuing their studies.
Innovation at the Single-Cell and Low-Input LC-MS Analysis
MicrOmics' innovation advantage is by leading out in the field and setting new standards with its innovative approaches. The company's focus on low-flow nano-LC for low input proteomics is a testament to its commitment to solving long standing challenges in the industry. While nano-flow LC has existed for years, its robustness and throughput have been persistent issues.
While there are established technologies on the market to support sample prep and mass spectrometry analysis of single cell samples, a lacking area has been the separations and ionization at the single cell level. A major challenge is ensuring sufficient coverage of the proteins in a single cell sample.
MicrOmics' mission is "100% more proteins in 50% less time from small biological samples." They pursue this goal utilizing their unique intellectual property. The innovation at MicrOmics includes ultrasensitive nano-LC chromatography columns and low-flow electrospray emitters.
In addition, their technique for running multiple channels simultaneously enables them to significantly enhance robustness and repeatability. As seen in the figure below, a custom configuration of pumps and valving enables efficient analysis of multiple samples, increasing throughput.
Therefore, a balanced low-flow LC-MS solution with sensitivity, robustness, and throughput can be achieved for the single-cell and low-input spatial proteomics community.
(image courtesy of MicrOmics Technologies)
Challenges and Outlook
As with all promising innovations, MicrOmics faces several current challenges. Increasing manufacturing speed of instrumental components and consumables with high quality is one major challenge. MicrOmics also faces the challenge of ensuring product awareness within the scientific community. Additionally, navigating customer preferences while avoiding the pitfalls of spreading resources too thin are constant concerns.
Looking ahead, Xie acknowledges that customer adoption and instrument optimization will be significant challenges in the long run. In the next 2-3 years, MicrOmics will be focused on improving manufacturing capability, making instruments robust, and continuing the ongoing optimization for various uses. The goal is to cater to core customers who require high sensitivity and throughput, gradually expanding the customer base as the technology proves its efficacy.
When all is said and done, Xie envisions MicrOmics as a catalyst for transformative research. "I like to build tools that make researchers' lives easier and help them solve their problems," he shared. The ultimate aim is for MicrOmics' instruments to be integrated into diverse platforms, aiding in drug discovery and beyond.
Learn more about MicrOmics and their technology at www.micromicstech.com.
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