Patent ID: 7868547
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing comprising: i) selecting more than one sample to be analyzed, wherein the samples each comprise one or more analytes some of which may comprise a modification of interest; ii) optionally processing one or more of the samples, or a fraction thereof; iii) optionally treating one or more of the samples, or a fraction thereof, with an enzyme or chemical under conditions that remove the modification of interest from analytes so modified, provided that not all of the samples, or fractions thereof, are treated with the enzyme or chemical; iv) applying each sample, or a fraction thereof, to an affinity support wherein the affinity support is capable of separating modified from non-modified analytes and all affinity supports comprise the same stationary phase but wherein each sample, or fraction thereof, is applied to a different affinity support; v) optionally collecting separately as a fraction the analytes that flow through each affinity support; vi) collecting separately as a fraction, after said applying, analytes that bind to each affinity support by eluding the bound analytes under suitable conditions; vii) encoding, after said collecting, each fraction of interest containing the one or more analytes that bound to and elute from the affinity support by reaction with a unique isobaric and/or isomeric labeling reagent of a set of isobaric and/or isomeric labeling reagents; viii) optionally encoding each fraction of interest containing the one or more analytes that flowed through the affinity support by reaction with a unique isobaric and/or isomeric labeling reagent of the set of isobaric and/or isomeric labeling reagents; ix) mixing, after said encoding, two or more fractions encoded with isobaric and/or isomeric labeling reagents, providing a mixture thereof; x) optionally adding a known amount of one or more calibration standards to the mixture; xi) treating the mixture with ma enzyme or chemical under conditions that remove the modification of interest from analytes so modified; xii) optionally separating the mixture; and xiii) analyzing the mixture, or one or more fractions thereof, by mass spectrometer to thereby obtain daughter ion fragments for one or more analytes of the mixture mid signature ions associated with each unique labeling reagent.