Thermo Electron has extended its protein identification and quantitation software package with BioWorks 3.3. Featuring PepQuan capabilities, BioWorks 3.3 enables automated quantitative analysis of iTRAQ, SILAC and ICAT labelled samples, as well as label-free quantitation techniques.
With new pre-search and post-search filters, BioWorks 3.3 removes unwanted spectra from the search resulting in faster search times, allowing users to focus only on the proteins of interest. Reporting and documenting results is also improved with the new software package. Spectra and tables can be quickly and easily transferred to Microsoft Office documents, while the new Protein Report feature enables printing of data directly from search results or the creation of PDF files.
BioWorks 3.3 features the SEQUEST protein search algorithm, which automatically identifies proteins by comparing experimental tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data with standard protein and DNA databases. It can analyse a single spectrum or an entire LC/MS/MS data set containing spectra from a mixture of proteins. The proprietary ‘cross-correlation’ identification algorithm within SEQUEST extracts information and correctly identifies proteins even at low concentrations. Accurate mass capability is also incorporated in the new BioWorks 3.3 software package to enable SEQUEST searching on data acquired using Thermo’s hybrid mass spectrometers.
