Miklos Guttman from the University of Washington explains the intricacies of protein glycosylation, focusing on the detailed study of glycoproteins using mass spectrometry (MS) tools. Traditional glycan profiling methods, which often lose site-specific information, and Guttman, instead, emphasizes a bottom-up proteomics approach. This method allows for the identification of glycan structures and their precise locations on proteins through advanced techniques like MS/MS and higher-level MS (MS3, MS4) analyses. By comparing fragmentation patterns and leveraging cutting-edge technology, his lab aims to overcome existing challenges in glycan structural analysis, providing more comprehensive insights into protein glycosylation.

Guttman also discusses the development of new analytical tools in collaboration with Protein Metrics, designed to automate the analysis of complex glycopeptide data. These tools integrate multiple levels of MS data (MS2, MS3, MS4) and provide diagnostic structural information along with error estimates, improving the accuracy and efficiency of glycoprotein studies. By combining this with other techniques such as ETD or ECD scans, the goal is to achieve a holistic understanding of glycoprotein structures and their functional implications. This innovative approach holds significant potential for advancing the field of proteomics, offering detailed insights into the role of glycosylation in protein function and disease.