Surface-Induced Dissociation of Complex Ions on an LTQ/Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer
EMSL Project ID
34936
Abstract
Mass spectrometry is unique among instrumental analysis techniques in terms of its extraordinary sensitivity, molecular specificity and utility for addressing key questions in a broad range of scientific disciplines. Characterization of complex molecules (biomolecules, humic acids, petroleum constituents, etc.) is a focus of both fundamental and applied research in mass spectrometry. Most of these studies including research conducted in EMSL utilize tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for obtaining structural information for complex molecules. MS/MS experiments typically involve mass selection of a primary ion, its activation by collision or photon excitation, unimolecular decay into fragment ions characteristic of the ion structure and its internal excitation, and mass analysis of the fragment ions. While for small ions a single energetic collision is sufficient to dissociate the ion, it is not the case for complex molecules. Ion-surface impact resulting in surface-induced dissociation (SID) is a fast and efficient means for excitation of ions, for which deposition of energy into vibrational modes of the projectile molecule occurs on a timescale of picoseconds and dissociation is not limited to low-energy channels. In the proposed research we will use SID on a commercial high-resolution LTQ/Orbitrap mass spectrometer for improved characterization of a broad range of complex molecules from organic constituents of atmospheric aerosols to post-translationally modified peptides and proteins. Once established, this methodology will be available for other EMSL user programs utilizing high-resolution mass spectrometry for challenging analytical applications.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2009-10-01
End Date
2012-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Roach PJ, J Laskin, and A Laskin. 2011. "Higher-Order Mass Defect Analysis for Mass Spectra of Complex Organic Mixtures." Analytical Chemistry 83(12):4924-4929. doi:10.1021/ac200654j