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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 10, 2018
A monodispersed metal-complexing peptide-based polymer for mass cytometry enabling spectral applications
Jan Verhoeff1, Saskia van Asten2, Lisan Kuijper2
1Amsterdam UMC, VU Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research; Amsterdam 1105 BK, the Netherlands.
We developed novel metal-complexing peptide-based polymers called HyperMAPs. These polymers allow precise metal incorporation for unique spectral fingerprints, enhancing multiplexing in techniques like mass cytometry.
Area of Science:
- Bioconjugation Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Developing advanced materials for biomolecular analysis is crucial.
- Existing metal conjugation methods face limitations in multiplexing and specificity.
- Peptide-based polymers offer a versatile scaffold for functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel class of metal-complexing peptide-based polymers (HyperMAPs).
- To enable precise, on-design assembly of diverse metal isotopes onto a polymer scaffold.
- To demonstrate the utility of HyperMAPs in high-parameter mass cytometry applications.
Main Methods:
- Controlled solid-phase synthesis of peptide scaffolds.
- Pre-synthesis of metal-chelator complexes for controlled incorporation.
- Thiol-maleimide-click or aldehyde-oxime reactions for biomolecule conjugation.
- Metal complexation of 21 different metals using two chelators.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of HyperMAPs with well-defined molecular structures.
- Demonstrated incorporation of 21 distinct metals with high fidelity.
- Application of HyperMAPs in a 13-parameter mass cytometry panel.
- Achieved unique CyTOF (Cytometry by Time-Of-Flight) spectral fingerprints for each polymer.
Conclusions:
- HyperMAPs represent a novel platform for metal-complexing bioconjugates.
- The precise control over metal incorporation enables enhanced multiplexing capabilities.
- HyperMAPs offer a promising alternative to traditional metal-conjugated antibodies in mass cytometry.
