Familiarization training Orbitrap Astral
02/13/2025Three exciting days of intensive training with Michal Nadler-Holly on the Astral system are behind us. The variety of data and number of protein identifications possible in less than 30 minutes is impressive.
As part of a three-day training programme, the participants were given a comprehensive insight into the use and maintenance of the Thermo Astral mass spectrometer. The aim of the programme was to provide a practical introduction to the basics and advantages of Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) and Data-Dependent Acquisition (DDA).
The first day focussed on an introduction to the hardware and the method editor, followed by setting up the first measurement runs with different parameters. Day two was dedicated to the evaluation of the first results and an introduction to FAIMS (Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry), a technique for the improved separation of ions prior to mass spectrometry. On the third day, the focus was on analysing the FAIMS data and an introduction to the Proteome Discoverer analysis software with the CHIMERYS algorithm and the Vanquish Neo liquid chromatography system.
The training offered not only in-depth technical knowledge, but also practical exercises on methodological optimisation and device maintenance - a valuable step towards the high-resolution analysis of cellular proteomes.
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