An expert's perspective...

"Using SONAR, we saw a significant increase in the number of proteins quantified compared to other DIA approaches we have previously used. Impressively, we were also able to assign sensitiser modified peptides and perform targeted quantification of 16 protein targets using 48 stable isotope labelled reference peptides within the same analytical run." - Dr Paul J. Skipp, Associate Professor/Centre Director, Centre for Proteomic Research, University of Southampton.

Watch the video to learn more about how Dr Skipp has used SONAR to addressed a range of biological research questions and the benefits he is seeing from this new Data Independent Acquisition technique.

How will SONAR improve my results?

SONAR provides quantitative MS/MS data at UPLC speeds from a data independent acquisition (DIA) method, even when compounds have perfect coelution and samples are complex. As a result data is cleaner and library searches are more reliable while producing reliable quantitation. Lipidomics experiments are a great example of where SONAR is beneficial. Lipid samples can produce broad overlapping LC peaks and some analytes have common fragment ions. In this situation it is challenging to confidently assign fragment ions to their precursor ions with traditional DIA methods. SONAR generates MS/MS data removing this uncertainty and reducing data interpretation times.

Similarly, depth of coverage in proteomics experiments can be limited by the ability to easily collect true MS/MS data by DIA. Additional selectivity offered by SONAR can increase the number of protein identifications as a direct consequence of better quality data that improves the reliability of library searching.

How Does SONAR Work?

There are three instrument parameters that are key to SONAR:

• With SONAR the quadrupole is active - the resolving quad slides over a selected mass range during each MS scan.
• From scan to scan the collision cell is alternating between high and low collision energy. This data is collected in two data channels that the software aligns to associate the precursor and fragment ions.
• Each scan contains 200 spectra. The three dimensional data allows the MS/MS data to be reported separately.

This diagram demonstrates how the quadrupole slides over the mass range of interest, transmitting ions in sequence. Precursor and fragment ion data is recorded generating MS/MS results that can be viewed and processed individually. The resulting cleaner data is easier to interpret and increases the reliability of library searches.

Still not convinced...

Take a look at our straighforward explainer video to understand more about exactly how SONAR can increase confidence in results with the right result first time giving you:

• Improved data quality through high selectivity
• More reliable library searches

Plus how SONAR saves time in the lab and delivers improved efficiency through:

• Routine MS/MS without method development
• Cleaner spectra allowing automated data interpretation
• Quantification and identification from a single injection
• Operates at UPLC speeds