Instrumentation

The mass spectrometry facility operates a variety of mass spectrometry instrumentation, each with advantages for specific types of analyses. If you have a specific project in mind, contact us to discuss possible options. The following list highlights some of the instrumentation and example applications. Of course, we are always interested in new applications, so contact us with specialized requests.

		Agilent 6538 Q-TOF with Agilent 1290 UHPLC The 6538 QTOF is an ultrahigh resolution mass analyzer that can be operated in high-resolution or high dynamic range modes. When interfaced with the 1290 ultrahigh pressure HPLC this system is ideal for quantitative analysis of complex metabolite extracts.  Metabolomics data analysis is supported by XCMS, metaXCMS, MassHunter and MassProfilerPro software packages, and the METLIN database.
		Agilent 7800 Inductively Coupled Plasma  The Agilent 7800 ICP-MS is used for the quantitative analysis of metals in liquid samples. In addition, it can be coupled with HPLC for metal speciation. An ESL NWR193 laser ablation system is available for metal profiling from surfaces, and metal imaging.
		Agilent GC-MS An Agilent 7890A/5975C XL GC-MS (EI/CI, MSD/DS) is available for GC-MS analyses. The Agilent GC-MS system has MassHunter Data Analysis for GC-MS, the Fiehn GC/MS Metabolomics RTL Library, and the NIST compound library are available for compound identification.
		Bruker Autoflex MALDI analyses are currently conducted on a Bruker Autoflex. This instrument is extremely functional for applications ranging from peptide identification to large polymer analysis. The Autoflex has MS/MS capabilities and can be used in an automated mode to collect MS and MS/MS data. In addition, the Autoflex can perform MALDI imaging: cross sections of tissue, environmental, and fabricated samples can be analyzed to obtain 4D datasets to quantify individual compounds spatially distributed through the sample.  MALDI-TOF instruments provide an extremely low entry barrier for new users and are ideally suited for high-throughput screening.
		Waters Synapt-XS Q-IMS-TOF with Waters I-Class UHPLC The Synapt-XS is a high resolution, high mass accuracy, and high sensitivity electrospray ionization (ESI) quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. It is combined with a Waters I-Class UPLC for demanding metabolomics assays. Further, the Synapt-XS includes an ion mobility cell, where collisional cross section can be measured, for additional molecular confidence. Metabolomics data analysis is supported by Progenesis, XCMS, and Metaboanalyst.

Waters Synapt G2S-i Q-TOF with Ion Mobility

The Synapt QTOF is a next generation electrospray TOF instrument. In addition to high mass accuracy and resolution, the Synapt is equipped with an ion mobility chamber.  Ion mobility measurements facilitate determenation of molecular cross-sectional area. This can be used to detect the difference between structural isomers of a single chemical formula, measure the folded or unfolded state of proteins, and detect assembly states of macromolecular complexes.  Sample introduction can be performed via classic electrospray, online nanospray with direct infusion or HPLC, and offline nanospray using as little as microliters of sample.  The high performance, sensitivity, and ion mobility capability of the Synapt makes it unrivaled for the biophysical study of complex systems.