We compared the Bruker Reflex III and the
PerSeptive (PE Biosystems, or I guess now
Applied Biosystems, again) DE-STR by demo
at each company's facility with some of our
own samples. The instruments were very similar
in performance, so differences in software and
other issues (utilities required, footprint, computer
system, etc.) guided our purchase. The Reflex
has been repackaged since, but we worked
with the previous incarnation. The DE-STR
came out on top, and we have been happy
with it.
There were a few annoying problems discovered
upon install that took me a few minutes to fix
(video and ethernet cables), but the instrument
was up and running quickly. It has survived several
power failures, and the only other hardware
issue has been a timed ion selector box that
was swapped out under warranty. We have had
effectively no downtime in almost a year.
Software has been another challenge, however.
The new version (Voyager 5.0 and now 5.01)
is more powerful than the old Grams stuff, but
it is quirky, especially in the area of peak labelling
and graphic export limitations. None of my
users have taken the jump into the new software
yet, but the old software and the new coexist
nicely. Voyager 5.0 automatically assembles
PSD stitches, but doesn't include the PSD
Toolbox macros (included in 5.01, however).
Also we have had a heck of a time getting
additional copies of Grams running on stand-alone
computers (yes, we have done it legally by
getting the hardware lock and additional
copy of software) but have not tried it with
Voyager 5.0, as it is promised that there
will be a stand-alone verson of Data Explorer
available soon. As App. Bio. gets all their
software in-house and standardized, these
issues should work themselves out with a
faster cycle time.
We are just getting started in using it for automation,
and will be doing QC of our DNA synthesis
(20 to 30 mers) as the trial application.
A comparison point here might be the 96-well
format/footprint of the Scout source
on the Bruker versus the smaller Voyager
sample plate. A spotting robot that
translates 96 or 384-well format to sample
plate format is required for high throughput/
automation on the Voyager.
The instrument is used mostly for peptide
work (gel and solution digests), and some
protein and DNA work. It is easy to use and it only
takes an hour or two to train someone to use the
instrument, even folks who are PC-challenged.
The majority of the art in getting good spectra is in
sample prep, and every type of sample will take
some optimizing.
Applied Biosystems service folks are spread
a bit thin in some parts of the US, but have
always been responsive when we have had
immediate needs. One of their real strengths
is their applications support. We have had
several on-site applications seminars, and
those have been very well received. There
are not a lot of what I would called 'canned'
applications, as each type of sample is
going to require some tweaking of the instrument
of get the very best data. The GeneSpectrometry
and Proteomics Solution I approaches are too
new (and we don't have either) to have a
relevant track record. We do have a Symbiot
spotting robot, and it is a great work saver,
especially in the oligo sample prep.
So, we are quite happy with the DE-STR
in spite of some quirks, but I think any
instrument at this level (both workhorse
and research grade) is going to involve some
tweaking.
Hope this is helpful...
-Dave
***************************************************
David Dogruel
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Bioscience Division
MS M888
Los Alamos, NM 87545
dogruel@lanl.gov
(505) 665-8034/9071 Ph.
(505) 665-4187 FAX
***************************************************
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