MALDI-TOF Goes Mainstream: Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometers For Multisample Analysis

MALDI-TOF Table Micromass' laser-addressable sample array target for MALDI Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has become, in recent years, a tool of choice for large-molecule analyses, especially for proteins. Published applications address protein and nucleic acid sequence, structure, purity, heterogeneity, cleavage, posttranslational modification, and a host of other molecular characteristics that are often difficult to study

Written byBob Sinclair

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Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has become, in recent years, a tool of choice for large-molecule analyses, especially for proteins. Published applications address protein and nucleic acid sequence, structure, purity, heterogeneity, cleavage, posttranslational modification, and a host of other molecular characteristics that are often difficult to study by other means. MALDI-TOF is also being used as a QC tool to verify peptide, protein, and DNA syntheses. With state-of-the-art machines claiming megadalton capabilities and femtomolar sensitivities, MALDI-TOF and related techniques seem set to play an increasingly important role in protein and proteome analysis.

Micromass' laser-addressable sample array target for MALDI

It's commonly said that a mass spectrometrist figures out what something is by smashing it to bits with a hammer and examining the individual pieces. The various types of mass spectrometry (MS) use different and specialized methods for smashing and ionizing ...

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