Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation source provides gentle ionisation that is particularly well suited to the analysis of peptides and related compounds
Agilent Technologies Europe has introduced an atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (AP-Maldi) source for use on the Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap SL ion trap mass spectrometer.
Co-developed by MassTech and Agilent, the AP-MALDI source provides gentle ionisation that is particularly well suited to the analysis of peptides and related compounds of interest to scientists doing proteomics research.
Because the AP-Maldi source operates at atmospheric pressure, a sample plate can be loaded in seconds -- simplifying operation and greatly increasing sample throughput.
This makes an LC/MSD Trap SL equipped with the AP-Maldi source ideal for fast screening of samples derived from proteins.
The 96-well sample plates are compatible with sample deposition by robotic preparation systems, which can also increase throughput.
An Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap SL equipped with the AP-Maldi source has shown excellent sensitivity for subfemtomole sample amounts spotted onto the sample plate.
AP-Maldi analysis consumes only a fraction of the total sample deposited, so sample plates can be stored for further analysis.
Agilent's AP-Maldi system quickly and easily generates searchable MS and MS/MS spectra from protein digests.
Heated drying gas directed onto the sample plate helps reduce the formation of matrix clusters, resulting in cleaner mass spectra.
The specificity of MS/MS data reduces the need for high coverage and yields more conclusive database matches.
The AP-Maldi source uses Agilent's standard ion source mounting system.
It takes only minutes to switch between AP-Maldi and the ESI, APCI, and APPI sources already available for the LC/MSD Trap.
For the proteomics researcher, this mean that AP-Maldi can be used for fast initial screening and the system quickly converted to electrospray ionisation for in depth LC/MS/MS analysis of samples of interest.
Shipments of the G1972A Atmospheric Pressure Maldi source expected to start in early autumn 2002.
