Anden begrundelse
:
DTU Bioengineering is looking to acquire a Laser capture MicroDissection (LMD) system to enable their ambitions in the field of spatial proteomics, transcriptomics, and multi-omics, all the way down to single-cell level. The main ambition is to expand their analytical capabilities and consolidating its internationally leading position in the field of single-cell proteomics by Mass Spectrometry (scp-MS). The instrument will be used for running large-scale spatial scp-MS experiments, developing novel microfluidic platform supported sample preparation workflows, implementing single-cell multi-omics experimental workflows and supporting spatial single-cell RNA sequencing experiments. Recognizing, and isolating, specific single-cells from primary samples requires a unique combination of fluorescent microscopy with high-resolution lasers and appropriate sample collection devices. The LMD6 laser microdissection system is distributed by Leica Microsystems and is the only LMD system on the market that is designed, developed, and manufactured by a single company, encompassing all the required features. This allows DTU to have a single point of contact for both the application of hardware / software development, and for the technical support service. Leica Microsystems applies the most delicate technique for specimen collection: gravity. Gravity is the most sensible method of specimen collection as no additional force is required. Most importantly, the specimens are not touched. This makes specimen collection by gravity a contamination-free procedure. Importantly, Leica is the sole manufacturer of LMD systems that allow contactless collection into 384-well PCR plates, which is essential for our experimental workflows, relying on low-volume, contamination-free sample preparation. Moreover, Leica is the only manufacturer with es-tablished Artificial Intelligence (AI) supported automated cell recognition, to ensure the highest throughput, combined with correct cell isolation for follow-up analysis. Hence, the LMD6 is the only instrument available on the market that will enable us to achieve our goals in the context of low-input, contamination-free, and high-throughput sample preparation for LC-MS based proteomics from e.g. FFPE clinical specimens or fresh-frozen material. Other justification: There is lack of competition due to technical reasons, cf. § 80, subsection 3, no. 2 in the Danish Public Procurement Law. The contract is awarded to Leica Microsystems, as their LMD6 product is the only instrument on the market that can fulfil all our requirements, in a single instrument platform, with a single point of contact for 1) single-cell isolation, 2) collection of isolated specimens into 384-well plates and other specific vessels (e.g. ProteoChip Evo as commercially available from Cellenion), 3) collection of isolated specimens by means of gravity, and 4) Artificial Intelligence (AI) supported automated cell recognition. Detailed features of the LMD6 and why this is a unique instrument has been provided above. A market survey was conducted to explore all possible options for a single instrument dedicated for spatial isolation of single cells by means of LMD, for subsequent proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. We have explored different suppliers, but none of them offer a single-instrument option, with commercially available consumables and software for automated cell recognition and isolation, at single-cell resolution. Other instruments either 1) require laser propulsion of isolated specimens, thereby possibly damaging the tissue in the process, 2) do not allow for collection of specimens into 384-well plates, required for low-volume, automated sample preparation, or 3) do not have AI-supported cell recognition abilities to automate the isolation process. Combined, this means that using alternative suppliers would result in our inability to obtain sufficient data quality for our biological experiments. This makes the Leica LMD6 the only instrument currently on the market that provides a solution for our high-sensitivity and high-throughput experimental spatial proteomics and transcriptomics workflow demands.