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Selected proteomics customers include: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Mount Sinai Hospital, Trillium Therapeutics Inc., University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, and University of Victoria. |
Major Features:
- Complete, best of breed integrated solutions
- Electrophoresis Units
- PAGE Analysis Services
Due to the requirement for expertise in the area of proteomics design, set-up, initiation and support UBI has created UBI Proteomics, which is responsible for proteomics systems integration. Our customers require a complete integrated solution to their proteomics challenge, regardless of size or throughput demands. We have many years of hands on laboratory experience working on projects funded by Genome Canada, National Science and Engineering research Council (NSERC), Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the National Research Council (NRC).
We have used and tested most of the products in this arena and know how to integrate best of breed products to give the research scientist, immediate publishable results from their proteomics investment. We source and integrate products from most of the major vendors in this field. The products go in right and your staff are trained and productive with the new system in short order.
Background
Proteomics is one of the most rapidly growing fields in science today, with approximately three billion dollars invested in 2003 and an estimated 7 billion dollars forecast for 2010. This growth is due to the:
- vast quantities of genomic data available,
- creation of super computers and software capable of supporting and mining such large quantities of data, and
- optimization of Mass Spectroscopy techniques which have significantly decreased the cost and increased the throughput of protein analysis.
As a result many labs are considering shifting their research efforts into this field. Unfortunately, due to the complex nature of proteomic analysis and the experience and resources required it is an extremely difficult and expensive field to break into. A great deal of co-ordination is required from the experimental planning through to the data management stages in order to eliminate the obstacles that prevent researchers from being successful in this area.
One of the major obstacles is the large learning curve that needs to be overcome prior to producing any meaningful data. It takes an extremely long period of time to set up, troubleshoot and streamline any proteomic analysis program. Unfortunately for researchers there are few resources to turn to for help and in most cases the research lab is required to spend from six months to a year working without producing any meaningful data. Considering that it costs approximately $50.00 to run a single gel (not including salaries) and an efficient lab can run approximately 20 to 30 gels a week a lengthy troubleshooting period can cost upwards of $75,000 CAD. This start up phase is required to get to a stage where publishable results can be produced.
Another challenge in starting a research program is designing a proteomics system that fits the type of research being conducted and the size of the laboratory to be outfitted. A complete 2D-PAGE outfit capable of running twelve 24 cm gels per day can run upwards of $50,000 CAD. If a laboratory is interested in scanning and analyzing their gels an additional $25,000 CAD can be added to this cost. For most researchers, this level of throughput is not required, but due to a lack of expertise in this area they will often purchase a system often mismatching their requirements and the system that is bought.
Summary
If you are planning on making investments in the proteomics arena or you need advice for an existing implementation; involving UBI will save you time, effort, and money. For pricing and further information on UBI Proteomicscontact us or call 866 202 2100 (toll free in Canada) or 403 202 1039 (international).