# SampleStream: A Radically Simplified Platform for Protein Sample Preparation

> **NIH NIH R44** · INTEGRATED PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2020 · $318,151

## Abstract

Abstract: The rise of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exposed serious weaknesses in our ability to respond to novel
pathogens. Three major areas of improvement include the rapid development of vaccines, therapeutics, and
serosurveillence. All three of these areas require tools that accurately assess the immune response across individuals.
Vaccine development requires lot-to-lot quality control and requires an antibody test that establishes whether or not a
particular formulation has elicited antibody creation in the patient. Likewise, intimate knowledge of the antibodies
created in populations with mild disease can provide valuable potential candidates for biologics that can be rapidly
produced. Finally, the identity and amount of antibodies specific to a pathogen within an individual can indicate
whether or not an individual has been infected, and, importantly, whether or not they have lasting immunity.
Integrated Protein Technologies has developed a technology called SampleStream that enables rapid purification and
concentration of large proteins, such as antibodies, prior to delivery to mass spectrometry. Herein, we propose using
this technology to couple immunoprecipitation to mass spectrometry. Using the KingFisher flex platform from Thermo
Fisher, 96 serum samples can be processed simultaneously with magnetic beads coated with recombinant spike protein
from SARS-CoV-2. The resultant samples will contain the antibodies specific to the virus on a per-individual basis. Mass
spectral analysis of these antibodies will provide sequence and abundance information. When combined with patient
outcome data, this will enable IPT to identify the set of antibodies that are truly neutralizing in the broader population.
Ultimately, these antibodies can serve as drug leads, can aid in vaccine development by ensuring a potent immune
response is generated, and enable surveillance and assessment of infection/immunity across the globe.
IPT’s technology and our “plugin” system enable us to rapidly integrate these platforms and SampleStream uniquely
provides the high throughput interface with mass spectrometry. We have an opportunity to have a significant impact on
this crisis and template a new technology that will enable more rapid responses to future pathogens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197343
- **Project number:** 3R44GM121130-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** INTEGRATED PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Philip Daniel Compton
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $318,151
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2021-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197343

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197343, SampleStream: A Radically Simplified Platform for Protein Sample Preparation (3R44GM121130-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197343. Licensed CC0.

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