Development of mass spectrometry for rapid detection of DNA fragments

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:559852

Buchanan, M V; Hurst, G B ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

Identifying the presence of a specific DNA fragment is becoming increasingly critical in medicine, law enforcement, consumer safety, and other applications. Regions in DNA that are diagnostic for a targeted genetic disease, individual, or microorganism are amplified using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or other reactions. These products, which contain a specific number of nucleotide units, are currently analyzed by electrophoresis or hybridization. Mass spectrometry has the potential of characterizing the PCR products faster and more confidently than these methods. We have been investigating matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the detection of DNA fragments, with the goal of developing an analytical method that can be used to screen many samples quickly and reliably. We have demonstrated the efficacy of this approach by detecting PCR products isolated from both human and microbial samples. We are currently investigating approaches for improving sample preparation, enhancing ionization, extending mass range, and increasing mass resolution.

• OSTI ID: 559852
• Report Number(s): CONF-970443--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
DETECTION
DNA
ELECTROPHORESIS
MASS RESOLUTION
MASS SPECTRA
SAMPLE PREPARATION