A little over 5-years ago, we developed a proteomics iPhone application in collaboration with our friends over at MSBioworks and SPARK Ann Arbor. MSBioworks, not to be confused with the old ThermoFisher proteomics software package, is a great mass spectrometry contract laboratory right down the street from us in Ann Arbor, MI. These guys do seriously great proteomics data generation. Well, they wanted an easy way to look at common proteomics in silico generated data at their fingertips while sitting at an instrument. Through some funding from SPARK, we developed the application, MSBioworks. Fast-forward 5 years, and well… it was due for an update and that update has been released. Free for use, no annoying advertisements, check it out!
Here’s the formal description: The Proteomics Community Calculator aims to unite calculations and resources often used by analytical chemists in a single user friendly interface. Users can mine the UniProt protein database for human protein information, such as sequence, Gene Ontology, and post-translational modifications. From there, users will then choose from an array of digestion enzymes to produce a peptide list that can be sorted by sequence, molecular weight or hydrophobicity score. Native peptides can be easily modified and precursor and product ion masses can be viewed in the application or exported via email. A listing of ion types for a selected peptide can be displayed and edited by the user. Further, a precursor ion can be chosen for virtual MRM transitions with collisional induced dissociation energies depending on the user’s particular instrumentation. At various points in the application the user can email the displayed listing.
Deeper into the application are various calculators, tubing ID, molarity, etc., and informational tables commonly referenced at the scientist bench making the application a must have in the lab. Additional features include BLASTp functionality and a RSS News Reader, with Tweet capabilities, specifically tailored to the proteomics specialists with additional resources for the general academic scientist.
Cheers!