Title: System and method of infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in polyacrylamide gels

Abstract

A system and method for desorption and ionization of analytes in an ablation medium. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of preparing a sample having analytes in a medium including at least one component, freezing the sample at a sufficiently low temperature so that at least part of the sample has a phase transition, and irradiating the frozen sample with short-pulse radiation to cause medium ablation and desorption and ionization of the analytes. The method further includes the steps of selecting a resonant vibrational mode of at least one component of the medium and selecting an energy source tuned to emit radiation substantially at the wavelength of the selected resonant vibrational mode. The medium is an electrophoresis medium having polyacrylamide. In one embodiment, the energy source is a laser, where the laser can be a free electron laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation. Alternatively, the laser can be a solid state laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation. The laser can emit light at various ranges of wavelength.

Inventors:

Haglund, Jr., Richard F.; Ermer, David R.; Baltz-Knorr, Michelle Lee

Issue Date:

2004-11-30

Research Org.:

Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1175157

Patent Number(s):

6825045

Application Number:

09/931,490

Assignee:

Vanderbilt University

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N1/22 - in the gaseous state {
G01N19/06 - Investigating by removing material, e.g. spark-testing
G01N27/44717 - {Arrangements for investigating the separated zones, e.g. localising zones}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

H01J49/0468 - {with means for heating or cooling the sample}
H01J49/164 - {Laser desorption/ionisation, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI]

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T436/14 - Heterocyclic carbon compound [i.e. , O, S, N, Se, Te, as only ring hetero atom]
Y10T436/141111 - Diverse hetero atoms in same or different rings [e.g., alkaloids, opiates, etc.]
Y10T436/142222 - Hetero-O [e.g., ascorbic acid, etc.]
Y10T436/143333 - Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.]
Y10T436/24 - Nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance or other spin effects or mass spectrometry
Y10T436/25 - including sample preparation
Y10T436/25125 - Digestion or removing interfering materials
Y10T436/2525 - Stabilizing or preserving
Y10T436/25875 - Gaseous sample or with change of physical state

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Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY