Harrison Specht
@harrisons.bsky.social
Exploring biology with mass spectrometry
Reposted by Harrison Specht
May Institute on Computation & Statistics for MS and Proteomics is taking great shape. Fantastic new and repeat instructors and lots of new content. We are grateful to our sponsors Fragmatics and Biognosys. Keep an eye on the website computationalproteomics.khoury.northeastern.edu
November 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
May Institute on Computation & Statistics for MS and Proteomics is taking great shape. Fantastic new and repeat instructors and lots of new content. We are grateful to our sponsors Fragmatics and Biognosys. Keep an eye on the website computationalproteomics.khoury.northeastern.edu
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Enabling options for review: from training and transparency to author-centered AI tools - openRxiv
Peer review is widely viewed as a critical aspect of biomedical communication. Ideally, it provides authors with feedback so they can improve manuscripts and gives readers, particularly nonspecialists...
openrxiv.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Reposted by Harrison Specht
🎓 Upcoming Online Course: R/Bioconductor for Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics
📅 November 17–19, 2025
Join Dr Laurent Gatto for a hands-on course on mass spectrometry–based proteomics analysis using R and Bioconductor.
👉 Register & learn more: www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
📅 November 17–19, 2025
Join Dr Laurent Gatto for a hands-on course on mass spectrometry–based proteomics analysis using R and Bioconductor.
👉 Register & learn more: www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
R/Bioconductor for Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
Dates 17-19 November 2025 To foster international participation, this course will be held online
www.physalia-courses.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
🎓 Upcoming Online Course: R/Bioconductor for Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics
📅 November 17–19, 2025
Join Dr Laurent Gatto for a hands-on course on mass spectrometry–based proteomics analysis using R and Bioconductor.
👉 Register & learn more: www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
📅 November 17–19, 2025
Join Dr Laurent Gatto for a hands-on course on mass spectrometry–based proteomics analysis using R and Bioconductor.
👉 Register & learn more: www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
#Proteomics Tutorial drop!
Had fun writing this, ping me if interested in other search engines. #TeamMassSpec
www.parallelsq.org/blog/fantast...
Had fun writing this, ping me if interested in other search engines. #TeamMassSpec
www.parallelsq.org/blog/fantast...
Fantastic Proteins and Where to Find Them - PTI - Parallel Squared Technology Institute
Here, we will offer a tutorial for how to build instrument-specific spectral library predictions for PSMtag modified peptides using DIA-NN 2.3.0. This will allow users to do more accurate proteome-wid...
www.parallelsq.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
#Proteomics Tutorial drop!
Had fun writing this, ping me if interested in other search engines. #TeamMassSpec
www.parallelsq.org/blog/fantast...
Had fun writing this, ping me if interested in other search engines. #TeamMassSpec
www.parallelsq.org/blog/fantast...
A bit dense, but the important message is dead simple:
We got to cite the E = mc² paper!
Kidding :)
The important part is that combinations of isotopes unlock 100-1000x gains in protein measurement speed.
Here's how: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#TeamMassSpec #Proteomics 🧪
We got to cite the E = mc² paper!
Kidding :)
The important part is that combinations of isotopes unlock 100-1000x gains in protein measurement speed.
Here's how: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#TeamMassSpec #Proteomics 🧪
How to design 1000-plex mass tags using the differential mass defect
Multiplexing samples in mass spectrometry-based proteomics has long been accomplished by isotopologues of small molecules. These chemically-identical "mass tags" conjugate to peptides to encode sample...
www.biorxiv.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
A bit dense, but the important message is dead simple:
We got to cite the E = mc² paper!
Kidding :)
The important part is that combinations of isotopes unlock 100-1000x gains in protein measurement speed.
Here's how: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#TeamMassSpec #Proteomics 🧪
We got to cite the E = mc² paper!
Kidding :)
The important part is that combinations of isotopes unlock 100-1000x gains in protein measurement speed.
Here's how: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
#TeamMassSpec #Proteomics 🧪
🧪🔥🔥🔥
Some researchers get their boost from papers or grants.
My adrenaline rush comes from pull requests and seeing others use our tools.
I got two happiness shots today:
- www.nature.com/articles/s41... using #quantms
- github.com/PRIDE-Archiv... new PR to #pridepy tool
☕🔥
My adrenaline rush comes from pull requests and seeing others use our tools.
I got two happiness shots today:
- www.nature.com/articles/s41... using #quantms
- github.com/PRIDE-Archiv... new PR to #pridepy tool
☕🔥
Activity-targeted metaproteomics uncovers rare syntrophic bacteria central to anaerobic community metabolism - Nature Microbiology
An approach combining BONCAT, stable isotope probing and metaproteomics showcases the hidden metabolic interconnectivity of microorganisms within an anaerobic digestion community.
www.nature.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
🧪🔥🔥🔥
Reposted by Harrison Specht
AlphaDIA enables DIA transfer learning for feature-free proteomics - @mannlab.bsky.social @jalew188.bsky.social go.nature.com/4qmEQMM
AlphaDIA enables DIA transfer learning for feature-free proteomics - Nature Biotechnology
An open-source platform for data-independent acquisition proteomics adapts predicted libraries to experimental settings.
go.nature.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
AlphaDIA enables DIA transfer learning for feature-free proteomics - @mannlab.bsky.social @jalew188.bsky.social go.nature.com/4qmEQMM
🧪 I tried it and I'm happily surprised!
As long as it doesn't boil the oceans, I would run it on all new papers I read for:
🌎 Mapping the interrelatedness of claims -- papers are so complex now!
🔬 Calling out potential gaps -- so that I can know the experiments were properly controlled.
As long as it doesn't boil the oceans, I would run it on all new papers I read for:
🌎 Mapping the interrelatedness of claims -- papers are so complex now!
🔬 Calling out potential gaps -- so that I can know the experiments were properly controlled.
October 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
🧪 I tried it and I'm happily surprised!
As long as it doesn't boil the oceans, I would run it on all new papers I read for:
🌎 Mapping the interrelatedness of claims -- papers are so complex now!
🔬 Calling out potential gaps -- so that I can know the experiments were properly controlled.
As long as it doesn't boil the oceans, I would run it on all new papers I read for:
🌎 Mapping the interrelatedness of claims -- papers are so complex now!
🔬 Calling out potential gaps -- so that I can know the experiments were properly controlled.
Reposted by Harrison Specht
And, we are back with another presentation from this year's Research Fest. PTI's Senior Computational Scientist, Kevin McDonnell, talks about developing joint modeling (aka JMod) of mass spectra for empowering multiplexed DIA proteomics.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=plK4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=plK4...
Jmod: Joint modeling of mass spectra for empowering mulitplexed DIA proteomics | Kevin McDonnell
YouTube video by Parallel Squared Technology Institute
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
And, we are back with another presentation from this year's Research Fest. PTI's Senior Computational Scientist, Kevin McDonnell, talks about developing joint modeling (aka JMod) of mass spectra for empowering multiplexed DIA proteomics.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=plK4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=plK4...
Well color me curious... and perfect choice of portrait 😂
October 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Well color me curious... and perfect choice of portrait 😂
Reposted by Harrison Specht
🧪
2025 isn't over yet but it's unlikely that Twitter will see a resurgence of research discussions.
October 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
🧪
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Increasingly in favour of the Marie Kondo approach to collaborations in science. Does your collaborator spark joy? If not ➡️♻️🗑️
No one's skills or knowledge are so unique or indispensable that they get to make your day miserable with every interaction. 🧪🔭
No one's skills or knowledge are so unique or indispensable that they get to make your day miserable with every interaction. 🧪🔭
a teddy bear is standing in front of a blue door
ALT: a teddy bear is standing in front of a blue door
media.tenor.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Increasingly in favour of the Marie Kondo approach to collaborations in science. Does your collaborator spark joy? If not ➡️♻️🗑️
No one's skills or knowledge are so unique or indispensable that they get to make your day miserable with every interaction. 🧪🔭
No one's skills or knowledge are so unique or indispensable that they get to make your day miserable with every interaction. 🧪🔭
Reposted by Harrison Specht
I'm a huge fan of this proposal!
If we can get vendor buy-in to an open, common format, it could bring more computational folks into the field. How can these folks be excited about #proteomics when its hard to even read the already complicated data?
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
If we can get vendor buy-in to an open, common format, it could bring more computational folks into the field. How can these folks be excited about #proteomics when its hard to even read the already complicated data?
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
mzPeak: Designing a Scalable, Interoperable, and Future-Ready Mass Spectrometry Data Format
Advances in mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation, including higher resolution, faster scan speeds, and improved sensitivity, have dramatically increased the data volume and complexity. The adoption of imaging and ion mobility further amplifies these challenges in proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. Current open formats such as mzML and imzML struggle to keep pace due to large file sizes, slow data access, and limited metadata support. Vendor-specific formats offer faster access but lack interoperability and long-term archival guarantees. We here lay the groundwork for mzPeak, a next-generation community data format designed to address these challenges and support high-throughput, multidimensional MS workflows. By adopting a hybrid model that combines efficient binary storage for numerical data and both human- and machine-readable metadata storage, mzPeak will reduce file sizes, accelerate data access, and offer a scalable, adaptable solution for evolving MS technologies. For researchers, mzPeak will support complex workflows and regulatory compliance through faster access, improved metadata, and interoperability. For vendors, it offers a streamlined, open alternative to proprietary formats. mzPeak aims to become a cornerstone of MS data management, enabling sustainable, high-performance solutions for future data types and fostering collaboration across the mass spectrometry community.
pubs.acs.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I'm a huge fan of this proposal!
If we can get vendor buy-in to an open, common format, it could bring more computational folks into the field. How can these folks be excited about #proteomics when its hard to even read the already complicated data?
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
If we can get vendor buy-in to an open, common format, it could bring more computational folks into the field. How can these folks be excited about #proteomics when its hard to even read the already complicated data?
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Throwback Thursday continues with a presentation by Maddy Yeh and Mark Adamo from Research Fest: "Tags for improving peptide sequencing and throughput in sensitive proteomics".
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA2I...
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA2I...
Tags for improving peptide sequencing and throughput in sensitive proteomics | Maddy Yeh, Mark Adamo
YouTube video by Parallel Squared Technology Institute
www.youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Throwback Thursday continues with a presentation by Maddy Yeh and Mark Adamo from Research Fest: "Tags for improving peptide sequencing and throughput in sensitive proteomics".
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA2I...
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA2I...
Reposted by Harrison Specht
new preprint: Ubiquitin is a protein modification linked with degradation but known to regulate other functions. Over 100k ubiquitination sites have been discovered and here we (@julianvangerwen.bsky.social + others) try to prioritize those most critical to the cell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The functional landscape of the human ubiquitinome
Protein ubiquitination regulates cell biology through diverse avenues, from quality control-linked protein degradation to signaling functions such as modulating protein-protein interactions and enzyme...
www.biorxiv.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
new preprint: Ubiquitin is a protein modification linked with degradation but known to regulate other functions. Over 100k ubiquitination sites have been discovered and here we (@julianvangerwen.bsky.social + others) try to prioritize those most critical to the cell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
When that mass spectrometry data gives Patrick vibes ...
(so sorry in advance, couldn't resist)
(so sorry in advance, couldn't resist)
September 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
When that mass spectrometry data gives Patrick vibes ...
(so sorry in advance, couldn't resist)
(so sorry in advance, couldn't resist)
Reposted by Harrison Specht
@jasonderks.bsky.social is presenting at iSCMS! Come by this Saturday afternoon around 2pm to hear his talk: "Increasing proteomics throughput by multiplexing in the mass and time domains".
singlecellms.org?page_id=442
singlecellms.org?page_id=442
Conference Program – iSCMS
singlecellms.org
September 23, 2025 at 6:21 PM
@jasonderks.bsky.social is presenting at iSCMS! Come by this Saturday afternoon around 2pm to hear his talk: "Increasing proteomics throughput by multiplexing in the mass and time domains".
singlecellms.org?page_id=442
singlecellms.org?page_id=442
Reposted by Harrison Specht
don't release preprints without a Methods section
don't release preprints with a Supplementary Materials section
don't release preprints without data
don't release preprints without code
use preprint servers to share your science, not advertisements
don't release preprints with a Supplementary Materials section
don't release preprints without data
don't release preprints without code
use preprint servers to share your science, not advertisements
September 21, 2025 at 5:41 PM
don't release preprints without a Methods section
don't release preprints with a Supplementary Materials section
don't release preprints without data
don't release preprints without code
use preprint servers to share your science, not advertisements
don't release preprints with a Supplementary Materials section
don't release preprints without data
don't release preprints without code
use preprint servers to share your science, not advertisements
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Lazy Sunday (or manic Monday depending on when you look) question to proteomics skywalkers: does/can fragpipe make mzID files for a full PRIDE dataset? Surely, right, but all I see are pep.xml.
September 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Lazy Sunday (or manic Monday depending on when you look) question to proteomics skywalkers: does/can fragpipe make mzID files for a full PRIDE dataset? Surely, right, but all I see are pep.xml.
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Join us for the guest lecture of Prof. Olga Vitek olgavitek.bsky.social, leading computational mass spec expert, for cutting-edge Stats & AI insights on Sep 24, 10am, in person or
zoom. Registration: ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #Metabolomics #AI #Massspectrometry @mikelangelipid.bsky.social
zoom. Registration: ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #Metabolomics #AI #Massspectrometry @mikelangelipid.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Join us for the guest lecture of Prof. Olga Vitek olgavitek.bsky.social, leading computational mass spec expert, for cutting-edge Stats & AI insights on Sep 24, 10am, in person or
zoom. Registration: ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #Metabolomics #AI #Massspectrometry @mikelangelipid.bsky.social
zoom. Registration: ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #Metabolomics #AI #Massspectrometry @mikelangelipid.bsky.social
Reposted by Harrison Specht
I have always been a proponent of hypothesis-free testing of metabolite rations: This paper is just great in how it takes it to the next level:
Untargeted pixel-by- pixel metabolite ratio imaging as a novel tool for biomedical discovery in mass spectrometry imaging
elifesciences.org/articles/96892
Untargeted pixel-by- pixel metabolite ratio imaging as a novel tool for biomedical discovery in mass spectrometry imaging
elifesciences.org/articles/96892
September 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I have always been a proponent of hypothesis-free testing of metabolite rations: This paper is just great in how it takes it to the next level:
Untargeted pixel-by- pixel metabolite ratio imaging as a novel tool for biomedical discovery in mass spectrometry imaging
elifesciences.org/articles/96892
Untargeted pixel-by- pixel metabolite ratio imaging as a novel tool for biomedical discovery in mass spectrometry imaging
elifesciences.org/articles/96892
😎 I love seeing these new, creative approaches to metalloproteomics!
A new frontier. 🧪
A new frontier. 🧪
PXD056024 🚨
New metalloproteomics method based on three dimensions of liquid chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled sector-field mass spectrometry
🚨 New dataset alert! 🚨
New metalloproteomics method based on three dimensions of liquid chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled sector-field mass spectrometry
🚨 New dataset alert! 🚨
September 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
😎 I love seeing these new, creative approaches to metalloproteomics!
A new frontier. 🧪
A new frontier. 🧪
Reposted by Harrison Specht
Really cool talk by @nmriley.bsky.social on glyco mass spec just now at the @cecamevents.bsky.social meeting on glycans in Cagliari. Check out his group’s cool work here: www.riley-research.com/research
Riley Research Group at UW - Research
The glycocode, or combinatorial patterns of glycosylation that relay biological information, functions in essential roles that govern human health and myriad diseases (e.g., cancer, infectious disease...
www.riley-research.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Really cool talk by @nmriley.bsky.social on glyco mass spec just now at the @cecamevents.bsky.social meeting on glycans in Cagliari. Check out his group’s cool work here: www.riley-research.com/research
Reposted by Harrison Specht
There’s a route that our drug molecules can take after dosing that we haven’t been paying enough attention to. Many might not even realize it exists;
An Underappreciated Fate of Drugs in Vivo
www.science.org
September 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
There’s a route that our drug molecules can take after dosing that we haven’t been paying enough attention to. Many might not even realize it exists;