High resolution mass spectrometry method and system for analysis of whole proteins and other large molecules

Patent · 02 March 2010

OSTI ID:1014525

Reilly, Peter T. A. ^[1]; Harris, William A ^[2]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Naperville, IL

A matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) method and related system for analyzing high molecular weight analytes includes the steps of providing at least one matrix-containing particle inside an ion trap, wherein at least one high molecular weight analyte molecule is provided within the matrix-containing particle, and MALDI on the high molecular weight particle while within the ion trap. A laser power used for ionization is sufficient to completely vaporize the particle and form at least one high molecular weight analyte ion, but is low enough to avoid fragmenting the high molecular weight analyte ion. The high molecular weight analyte ion is extracted out from the ion trap, and is then analyzed using a detector. The detector is preferably a pyrolyzing and ionizing detector.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): 7,671,330
• Application Number: US Patent Application 11/688,996
• OSTI ID: 1014525
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English