Mass-spectrometry

BactoSCREEN system based on MALDI TOF platform intended for microorganisms’ identification and studies of their susceptibility to antibiotics.

LYTECH Ltd, Moscow has developed and launched a new system of mass-spectrometric identification of microorganisms and studies of their susceptibility to antibiotics (the MS platform used is LaserToF LT2 Plus by SAI, UK).
The identification of microorganisms is carried out with the use of algorithm that ensures quick and reliable comparison of experimental microbial protein spectra with the ones contained in BactoSCREEN database that currently includes the data pertaining to some 2300 species of bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi.
The proteins that are most important for such comparison are predominantly ribosomal proteins that are unique for each microorganism.

BactoSCREEN also features yet another additional method of the results’ confirmation that utilizes the vast genomic databases available in such publicly accessibly repositories as GenBank and PATRIC.
Here we compare the experimental protein spectra for the microorganism we just identified not with the spectra from BactoSCREEN database, but with the ones that were artificially reconstructed based on the genetic sequence from the repositories, whereas this procedure is carried in automated regime by way of proprietary bioinformatics algorithm.
BactoSCREEN software package allows to perform both cluster and correlation analysis that makes it possible to differentiate between closely related species and subtypes.

In BactoSCREEN there is also a function that enables operator to assess the resistance/susceptibility of microorganisms by detection of microbial cells’ death after their quick cultivation in several vials, containing special media with basic types of antibiotics added.

There is also available the possibility to reveal resistant strains by way of detection of the specific products of antibiotics’ biodegradation under the influence of various beta-lactamases.

High quality of the results obtained with BactoSCREEN is combined with simplicity of operation and servicing. Simple sample preparation: less than 1-3 minutes per sample.
Types of samples: colonies of microorganisms, content of hemoculture vials, direct detection in urine, CSF and feces.
The system is a compact desktop device. There is no complicated fine-tuning and calibration is quite simple. The system starts presenting the results of identification within 1-2 minutes after the reusable stainless steel target with samples is placed into the device.

INTENDED USE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

Analyzer BactoSCREEN based on matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with linear regime of ion detection is intended for automated measurements of various substances’ mass-spectra. Apart from studies in such fields as biochemistry, biotechnologies and pharmaceutics, mass-spectrometers of MALDI type have been widely used for practical application in clinical and veterinary microbiology and phytopathology, where they are used to identify microorganisms by way of obtaining their peptide mass fingerprints. The analyzer has been registered as medical equipment by the Healthcare Ministry of Russian Federation.

DESCRIPTION

BactoSCREEN Desktop analyzers are automated multipurpose measuring systems that include laser, ion source, vacuum chamber, analyzer of masses and PC control unit. The laser provides for soft ionization of samples that were previously treated by matrix (MALDI method). High throughput of the system is ensured by way of automated sequence programming for batch operation (up to 96 samples per run). Detection of ions is performed in vertical time of flight analyzer in linear mode.