Using this collaborative approach, scientists have recently introduced an innovative method called DiBT-MS, or Direct Analysis of Biotransformations with Mass Spectrometry. Ruth Knox and her team have created a fresh approach during the last eight years. This new approach cuts the time needed to screen engineered enzyme reactions by a large margin. With a total analysis time of only 2 hours, DiBT-MS can analyze up to 96 samples in parallel. This incredible speed represents a huge advance over traditional methods, which typically required days to obtain comparable outcomes.
The investigation describing DiBT-MS was recently published in the journal Nature Protocols. The DOI for this publication is 10.1038/s41596-025-01161-9, giving access to all detailed results and methodology. The creation of DiBT-MS propels a significant step in enzymology. It improves our capacity to predict biotransformations, chemical reactions that are induced by enzymes.
Enhancing Speed and Efficiency
Compared to conventional methods, DiBT-MS can increase the screening speed of enzymes up to 1,000 fold. This jump in productivity is an absolute game changer. Chemists across the globe are striving to address the growing need for more environmentally friendly and economically friendly chemical processes. Perdita Barran, one of the main creators of DiBT-MS, wanted it to be as widely used as possible.
“This approach opens up enzyme research to a much wider range of laboratories. And as the demand for sustainable and cost-effective chemical production and higher throughput assay screening grows, DiBT-MS will be an essential tool.” – Perdita Barran
The new technique simplifies the process and reduces costs by requiring only minor changes to the current technology. This allows for faster, more streamlined analyses and no complicated sample pre-treatments. With the ability to probe biotransformations in minutes instead of hours or days, researchers are able to accelerate their workflows and discoveries by leaps and bounds.
Addressing Limitations of Previous Methods
Traditional screening methods often encounter significant limitations. For example, traditional methods such as fluorescent microwell plates will not work if your product does not have a natural fluorescence. This disadvantage can hinder efforts in discovery of the most effective biocatalysts in an enzyme library. This was a point made by Sabine Flitsch, another member of the research team, working on this project.
“Current screening methods can really slow things down when we’re trying to find efficient biocatalysts because there are so many possible variations to test in an enzyme library. Some faster methods, like fluorescent microwell plates, do exist, but even then, you can hit a wall if your product doesn’t naturally fluoresce. That’s why there’s a real need for a quicker, simpler way to screen reactions.” – Sabine Flitsch
With DiBT-MS, researchers can skip these hurdles from start to finish, allowing for a straightforward and high-throughput method to analyze enzyme reactions. This back-to-basics technique is both old school and super powerful. In addition to advancing research capabilities, it reduces environmental impact through the use of significantly less solvent and sample material.
Implications for Future Research
The inception of DiBT-MS holds profound implications across all fields, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and sustainable chemistry. Improved screening workflows increase the efficiency of drug development. They drive the development of more sustainable chemical production processes, which contributes to addressing some of the world’s greatest health and environmental challenges.
Sabine Flitsch highlighted another benefit of the new method: environmental conservation.
“Our research shows how DiBT-MS can dramatically speed up the process, skipping the need for complicated sample preparation and using significantly less solvent and sample material, ultimately lessening our impact on the environment.” – Sabine Flitsch
The scientific community is largely still working to unlock the possible uses for this new and exciting technique. DiBT-MS will undoubtedly become a powerful and necessary tool in laboratories worldwide.