From January 18 to 24, 2025, the Single Molecule Protein Sequencing (SMPS) conference took place for the fourth time in Bolzano, Italy. This international event brought together leading scientists from the protein sequencing community to discuss the latest findings, technologies, and innovative approaches. Our cluster, nanodiag BW, was also represented with several contributions.
A special highlight was the talk by Prof. Dr. Jan C. Behrends, Vice Speaker of our cluster, who presented as an invited speaker, sharing fascinating insights into “Probing trapped macromolecules with ions: from ‘mass’, ‘size’ and ‘shape’ on to chemistry?”.
Our early-career researchers also made valuable contributions to the conference, presenting their latest research at the poster session. A particular success was the award received by our cluster member Priyanka Jain, whose poster was honored with the Best Poster Award – a fantastic recognition of her outstanding research!
Priyanka’s award-winning poster, titled “Species- and position-dependence of the contribution of amino acid residues to nanopore block by homo- and heterooligomeric peptides”, showcased her work on a novel approach to protein sequencing using nanopore sensing. The method involves the sequential cleavage of peptide residues with an exopeptidase, generating peptide ladders that are subsequently analyzed through a nanopore. Her research highlights how different amino acid residues at various positions within a peptide sequence influence nanopore resistance, potentially enabling more precise protein sequencing. This work contributes to the development of an efficient and cost-effective protein sequencing method that could be scalable in the future.
"One conversation that left a lasting impression on me was with a researcher who raised thought-provoking questions about the scalability of this approach for larger, more complex proteins. This discussion made me reflect on how the method could be adapted for broader applications in diagnostics and other industries. In addition to receiving valuable expert feedback, I was able to deepen my knowledge and build meaningful connections this year. It was particularly inspiring to see how innovations in this field are driving industrial growth. With great motivation, I look forward to publishing my research findings and hope to contribute to the advancement of protein sequencing and its applications in diagnostics and personalized medicine.”
SMPS 2025 covered a broad range of topics, including:
- Nanopore Sensing for Proteins
- Protein Labelling Strategies
- Frontiers in Mass-Spectrometry Sequencing
- Protein Fingerprinting Approaches
- Single Molecule Fluorescence and FRET
- Plasmonic Nanostructures for Proteome Biosensing
In addition to in-depth scientific discussions and fascinating presentations, industry representatives from companies such as Elements, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies were also present, providing valuable insights into the transfer of innovative technologies into practical applications.
The conference once again highlighted the significance of research in single-protein analysis and the role of nanopore technologies as a promising method for proteomics and medical diagnostics. We are thrilled about the successful exchange of ideas and look forward to future developments in this dynamic field of research!
More information about the conference: SMPS 2025
