How to get your goat: automated identification of species from MALDI-ToF spectra

• DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa181
• Publication Date: 2020-03-13T12:36:35Z
• Authors: Simon Hickinbotham; Sarah Fiddyment; Timothy L Stinson; Matthew J Collins
• Keywords: Identification

Abstract Motivation Classification of archaeological animal samples is commonly achieved via manual examination matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-ToF) spectra. This a time-consuming process which requires significant training and does not produce measure confidence in the classification. We present new, automated method for arriving at classification MALDI-ToF sample, provided collagen sequences each candidate species are available. The approach derives set peptide masses from sequence data comparison with sample data, carried out by cross-correlation. A novel way combining evidence multiple marker peptides used to interpret raw alignments arrive an associated measure. Results To illustrate efficacy approach, we tested new previously published parchment folia copy Gospel Luke, produced around 1120 C.E. scribes St Augustine’s Abbey Canterbury, UK. In total, 80 81 were given identical classifications both methods. addition, gives quantifiable level Availability implementation software can be found https://github.com/bioarch-sjh/bacollite, installed R using devtools. Supplementary information available Bioinformatics online.