Mass spectrometers are effective for identifying and quantifying unknown molecules, such as disease-related proteins and small molecules in pharmaceutical research and medical diagnosis. In addition, mass spectrometry (MS) can be particularly powerful when analyzing molecules with complex structures, such as posttranslationally modified proteins. Among various MS approaches, high-resolution multistep tandem MS (MS-MS) is an emerging methodology for accurate identification of complex molecules. In this article, we describe a new approach for mass analysis with enhanced quantitative capability combined with high-resolution multistep MS-MS, where the dynamic range of quantitation covers four orders of magnitude.
The Role of Spectral Accuracy in Mass Spectrometry
April 1st 2007The ability to perform accurate mass measurements in mass spectrometry (MS) for elemental composition determination (ECD, also known as formula identification) provides a powerful tool for assisting in the identification of unknown compounds. Recent advances in data processing methods have demonstrated the ability to obtain mass accuracy in the 5–10 ppm range on routine single- and tandem-quadrupole systems (1,2), sufficient to assist in the formula identification. However, even on more expensive high-resolution systems such as quadrupole time-of-flight (qTOF) or Fourier transform (FT)–MS instruments that are capable of routinely measuring mass accuracy in the 1–3 ppm range, the formula identification is not unique, particularly for higher molecular weight compounds. By calibrating instruments to obtain high spectral accuracy as well as mass accuracy, the ability to unambiguously identify the formula is improved substantially, particularly on low-resolution systems.
ICP-MS: When Sensitivity Does Matter
April 1st 2007It makes intuitive sense - the higher the sensitivity of an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system, the lower the detection limit. But there are many factors that affect the detection limit for a given isotope in a given sample. These factors include sensitivity, background noise, and interferences.
Technology Forum: Gas Chromatography
March 22nd 2007Each month in our Technology Forum we will feature a discussion between industry experts on various trends and issues in the chromatography field. This month's Technology Forum looks at the topic of gas chromatography and the trends and issues surrounding it. Joining us for this discussion are Mark Collins, Gas Chromatography Product Manager at Perkin Elmer, and Jaap de Zeeuw, International Specialist GC consumables at Restek.
Eksigent announces distribution agreement with Presearch
March 1st 2007Eksigent (Dublin, California) recently announced a new distribution agreement with Presearch (Hampshire, United Kingdom). The agreement reportedly covers sales of Eksigent's NanoLC HPLC product line in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
National Symposium on Recent Advances in Analytical Sciences and Applications
March 1st 2007The Indian Society of Analytical Scientists (ISAS) Delhi Chapter has announced that the National Symposium on Recent Advances in Analytical Sciences and Applications will be held at the Himachal Pradesh University (Summer Hills, Shimla, India) between 5–7 April 2007.
Meeting Preview: 30th ISCC and 4th GC×GC Symposium
March 1st 2007In June of this year, the 30th meeting in the International Symposium in Capillary Chromatography series will convene in Dalian, People's Republic of China. The meeting promises to be a major celebration of separation science, and the separation science community has thrown its weight behind this initiative. The meeting is held under the auspices of the "International Organization for Promotion of Microcolumn Separations" and the "Chinese Academy of Science," with support from various organizations in China. Combined with the "4th Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography Symposium" and the "16th Chinese Symposium and Exhibition on Chromatography," the conference will offer many opportunities to present both international and regional accomplishments in chromatography. During the period of the symposia an exhibition will be held to showcase newly developed instruments and reagents from manufacturers around the world.
5th HIC/RPC Bioseparation Conference
March 1st 2007The 5th HIC/RPC Bioseparation Conference takes place at the Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage Palace, Interlaken, Switzerland from 20–23 March 2007 and is co-ordinated by Tosoh Bioscience GmbH. It is designed to provide a forum for in-depth discussion on industrial downstream processing.