PCT-based sample preparation methods featured at ASMS

Pressure BioSciences has claimed that using its pressure cycling technology (PCT) platform in the preparation of samples can result in quality and/or improved time or cost efficiency of test results.

The firm said scientists from six research groups presented data at the 62nd Annual Conference of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) using the technology.

Dr Melinda McFarland and colleagues presented on a mass spectrometry-based method to improve identification of bacteria involved in foodborne outbreaks by testing contaminated samples.

Thirty-six Salmonella isolates originating from foodborne outbreaks were studied and PCT was the method of choice for extracting the pathogen from the samples.

The authors showed that bacterial protein expression profiles could potentially enhance pathogen identification in foodborne outbreaks. 

Current methods to determine the causative agent of foodborne outbreaks primarily use DNA detection.

Dr Tiannan Guo, from ETH Zurich, also presented on a method for the characterization of proteins (and other biomolecules) that combines PCT with SWATH, a mass spectrometry method from AB SCIEX.