The Use of Software Visualization Tools for the Identification of PTM Patterns and Artefacts in LC-MS Experiments

Introduction

Traditional analysis of LC-MS data by reviewing chromatograms and corresponding single or averaged mass spectra is evidently both tedious and difficult. When analyzing multiple proteomics samples, this part of the data analysis is therefore often omitted and only the final list of identified proteins is reviewed. This may lead to unnecessarily complex or even contradictory results.

By representing LC-MS data as a 2D-image as demonstrated in the novel DeCyder™ MS software, it is possible to identify phenomena, which are very difficult to recognize using conventional LC-MS data representation. By discarding appropriate phenomena as artefacts the quality of the result will be significantly improved.