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Courtesy of Ciphergen

Researchers hunting protein abnormalities or combinations that signal disease need assay chips sensitive to the broadest possible array of proteins, over the widest concentration range. But those researchers also want technology that can read large batches of samples quickly without sacrificing accuracy. To meet those needs, Fremont, Calif.-based Ciphergen Biosystems http://www.ciphergen.com has created its new ProteinChip System Series 4000 mass spectrometer.

Like the company's previous offering, the PBS IIc, the Series 4000 reads whole proteins and not just peptides, as many other mass spectrometers do. The 4000 also improves on the IIc in several other ways, says Bill Williams, Ciphergen's national sales manager.

First, it can take readings from as many as 14 12-well chip cassettes at once, compared to the IIc's two cassettes. "There may be only a few subtle differences between a healthy proteome and one that shows signs of disease," Williams notes. "A...

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