Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry services offered initially will be provided on the Bruker Apex -120Q FTMS instrument, an Apex-Qe with a high performance 12 Tesla magnet.

The following services will be provided initially:

• Accurate mass determination for small and larger polar molecule characterization(<5ppm-sub ppm levels)
  • Positive ion ESI analysis.
  • Negative ion ESI analysis
• Accurate mass determination for non polar compounds
• High resolution direct analysis of complex mixtures
• Exact mass MS(n) for structural information of multiply charged ions 
• Peptide and protein molecular weight measurement (salts and buffers must be removed from samples before submission)
• Training for self operation of the FTMS ( please contact the facility director, Susan Hatcher, to schedule training).

Accurate mass is the determination of the molecular weight of a specific analyte to within 10ppm (accuracy to the third decimal place) or less.In most cases, 5ppm or less may be achieved.

MS/MS or MS(n) is an ion dissociation or fragmentation method that can provide structural information of an analyte. CID (collision induced dissociation), ECD (electron capture dissociation), and IRMPD (infrared laser fragmentation) are three different techniques available in this facility. These techniques work best with multiply charged ions.