Serum Proteomics
Serum & Plasma proteomics services can identify low abundant disease-specific serum/plasma protein markers for therapeutics and diagnostics.
We have developed a Serum and Plasma 2D DIGE proteomics protocol by which thousands of low-abundance serum proteins can be resolved and quantitatively analyzed WITHOUT immunoaffinity depletion of the serum abundant proteins. This technology provides high sensitivity detection and accurate quantification of low-abundance serum/plasma proteins. For details please view see our publication in Genetic Engineering & Technology News. Such platform has been successfully applied in discovering disease- or treatment-specific serum/plasma biomarkers.
Why does serum/plasma proteomics work best with 2D DIGE but not LC-MS/MS?
Because 2D DIGE can generate much better serum proteomics data at a lower cost. Analysis of serum and plasma proteome represents a challenge due to the wide range of protein concentrations and high structural complexity of the constituent proteins in these samples. In serum and plasma, the quantities of high- and some low-abundance proteins span over 10 orders of magnitude. Immunodepletion has been used to enhance the detection of low abundance plasma proteins. However, researches have discovered that, even with immunodepletion, low abundance proteins still remain undetectable using LC-MS/MS platform. Furthermore, immunodepletion process will: (i) remove proteins associated with the abudant proteins, (ii) cause protein degradations, and (iii) introduce variations, thus compromising the data quality.
Our serum/plasma proteomics services:
- A. Improved serum 2D DIGE without immuno-depletion
- B. Improved serum 2D DIGE combined with immuno-depletion of abundant proteins
For gel layout, please view the study designs based on the total number of samples.
A. Improved Serum 2D DIGE Without Immuno-depletion
Example 1: Human Serum Sample
The left, middle and right image shows the human serum proteome using standard protocol, Applied Biomics (ABO) improved protocol with pH3-10, and pH4-7, respectively. The ABO protocol clearly reveals much more low abundant serum proteins than the standard protocol.
Standard 2D Protocol (pH 3-10)

ABO pH 3-10 Protocol

ABO pH 4-7 Protocol

Example 2: Preclinical Trial Mouse Serum Sample
Four pairs of mouse serum samples were collected before (Control) and after 4 different treatments (Treated). 2D DIGE was performed using Applied Biomics’ improved serum protocol. The 4 Control (red) /Treated (green) overlay images showed the differences between Control and Treated samples. The circled spots represent very low abundant proteins which are up-regulated due to drug treatment. The 3-D view of the same spot is displayed in the right panel. The data shows that ABO protocol significantly improves the detection of low abundant proteins in the serum samples.

B. Improved Serum 2D DIGE Combined With Immuno-depletion Of Abundant Proteins
The Challenge of Biomarker Discovery from Plasma/Serum
Transferrin: 76 kDa
Fibrinogen: 65 kDa (a), 51 kDa (g)
a1-antitrypsin: 56 kDa
IgG: 150 kDa
HSA: 67 kDa
IgA: 180 kDa
IgM: 750 kDa
Transferrin: 79 kDa
a2-Macroglobulin: 160 kDa
Haptoglobin: 43 kDa
alpha 1-acid glycoprotein: 23 kDa
APO A-I, APO A-II: 23 kDa
Protein dynamic range: 10 magnitude of difference in abundance

We offer the following serum abundant protein immuno-depletion services:
- Human Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion
- Human Serum: IgY-12 depletion (12 most abundant human plasma proteins: Human Serum Albumin, IgG, Fibrinogen, Transferrin, IgA, IgM, Haptoglobin, a2-Macroglobulin, a1-Acid Glycoprotein, a1-Antitrypsin and HDL (Apo A-I & Apo A-II).
- Mouse Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion
- Rat Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion
- Monkey Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion
Example: Human plasma with and without IgY-12 Immuno-depletion (pH4-7)
Plasma Without Immuno-Depletion

Plasma With Immuno-Depletion

Sample Info
Please follow these general principles regarding biohazardous materials.
Sample amount: 10 μl serum/plasma from each sample. If you order serum protein depletion, 30 μl of serum/plasma from each sample is needed. This will be sufficient to cover the entire procedure including analytical gel, preparative gel, spot picking and protein ID.
Pricing
Serum 2D-DIGE pricing:
Please view here for Serum 2D-DIGE pricing.
Serum Depletion pricing:
Services Description | Academic/Governmental Labs | Industrial/Commercial Labs | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Code | Price | Code | Price | |
Human Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion (20 – 50 ul) | 436A-H2 | call for price | 436N-H2 | call for price |
Human Serum: IgY-12 depletion (20 – 50 ul) 1 | 436A-H12 | call for price | 436N-H12 | call for price |
Mouse Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion (20 – 50 ul) | 436A-M2 | call for price | 436N-M2 | call for price |
Rat Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion (20 – 50 ul) | 436A-R2 | call for price | 436N-R2 | call for price |
Monkey Serum: Albumin/IgG depletion (20 – 50 ul) | 436A-Mon2 | call for price | 436N-Mon2 | call for price |