The SPEC universal sample preparation method and its applications

Talk by Prof. Matthias Mann, Director at Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry & Director at
Novo Nordisk Foundation for Protein Research

Sample preparation remains one of the least standardized yet most influential steps in MS-based proteomics. Our recently developed SPEC protocol provides a universal, tip-based platform that integrates protein capture, cleanup, and chemical derivatization in a single solid-phase workflow. SPEC accommodates diverse input types—from cells and tissues to plasma—while enabling downstream innovations such as nanoPhos, an ultra-sensitive phosphoproteomics method. I will trace the evolution of proteomics sample preparation, highlighting how SPEC consolidates best practices into a robust, automation-ready format. Finally, I will discuss our outlook for SPEC, including integration with Evosep tips for scalable, reproducible, and high-throughput clinical and single-cell proteomics. By unifying sample prep across applications, SPEC lays the foundation for consistent, large-scale datasets critical to the next generation of proteomics.