Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid Mass Spectrometer System for Advancing Proteomics Research in Southeastern Wisconsin - This resubmission requests funds under the NIH S10 High-End Instrumentation (HEI) Program to acquire a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid mass spectrometer (Ascend MS), coupled with a Vanquish Neo UHPLC system, for installation in the Translational Metabolomics Shared Resource (TraM SR) Mass Spectrometry Core (MS Core) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The MS Core will relocate to a newly constructed facility within the Center for Cancer Discovery, scheduled for completion in August 2025. To reflect the refined scope, the project title has changed from Tribrid Ascend Mass Spectrometer for Accelerating MultiOmics Research to Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid Mass Spectrometer System for Advancing Proteomics Research in Southeastern Wisconsin, emphasizing proteomics as the primary focus. The Ascend MS offers next-generation proteomics capabilities with high sensitivity, resolution, and acquisition speed. It supports ion activation methods including collision induced dissociation (CID), higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD), and electron transfer dissociation (ETD), along with ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD), proton transfer charge reduction (PTCR), high mass range (HMRn), and the FAIMS Pro interface. These enable advanced analysis of intact proteins, post translational modifications, and low abundance targets, supporting diverse biomedical research programs. The Ascend MS will serve 19 NIH- funded investigators, including 9 Major Users with 17 active NIH awards (R01, P01, R35, T32), 9 Minor Users with 14 NIH grants (R01, R21, R35, R37, U54), and 6 Other Users including 1 with an R35. These investigators conduct high-impact research in cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, neuroscience, pregnancy, and structural biology. The system’s ultra-low volume capabilities and advanced Orbitrap workflows will enable deep proteome profiling and high-resolution analyses, accelerating discoveries in disease mechanisms and therapeutics. The instrument will be operated and maintained by the MS Core, staffed by experienced personnel. A new full-time scientist joined on April 7, 2025, and an additional staff member will be recruited after acquisition. Operational infrastructure includes the iLab scheduling and billing platform, an advisory committee, and administrative oversight by the MCW Cancer Center’s senior business administrator. The Ascend MS will be fully utilized for fee-for-service projects, supporting NIH-funded and other researchers at MCW and partner institutions. The MCW Cancer Center has committed to subsidizing 50% of proteomics costs, ensuring affordability and broad access. The fee structure will be reviewed annually based on user surveys to maintain accessibility and responsiveness. Acquisition of the Ascend MS will transform NIH-funded research at MCW and its regional partners in southeastern Wisconsin. This state-of-the-art system will advance scientific discovery and align with the NIH mission to improve human health through cutting-edge proteomics research.
