ULtra-high Throughput screening of Microbial metabolites using Echo-MS (ULTiMatE-MS) (ULTiMatE-MS)

Microorganisms can thrive in a remarkable range of ecological niches, largely due to the production of chemically diverse metabolites. These small molecules play a vital role in biological processes such as reproduction, communication and defense. In addition, they represent a valuable source of compounds with industrial and therapeutic applications. The study of metabolites is crucial for understanding the microbial world and harnessing its chemical potential. Recent technological advances have greatly expanded our ability to access novel microorganisms and genetically engineered variants and to study them under diverse and realistic conditions. However, screening these extensive microbial libraries for metabolites of interest remains a major bottleneck. Here, we aim to fund an Echo-MS, an innovative high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS) instrument capable of accurately and rapidly quantifying diverse types of metabolites in complex samples. The system uses ultrasonic energy to eject nanoliter droplets from samples into the MS for direct and precise analysis without the need for sample preparation. It can process up to 3 samples/ second and its chromatography-independency eliminates carryover between samples, greatly reducing the risk of false positive or -negative results. The incredible throughput, accuracy and versatility of the Echo-MS make it an essential tool for drug discovery, industrial biotechnology, and the development of platform strains for new bioproducts.