LTQ Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer System

描述（由申请人提供）：申请资金用于购买Thermo Finnigan LTQ线性离子阱质谱仪，配套的微型高效液相色谱系统和计算机集群，用于位于圣安东尼奥的德克萨斯大学健康科学中心的机构质谱实验室（MSL），由Susan Weintraub博士指导，她在生物医学质谱方面拥有超过30年的经验。目前，毛细管HPLC-ESI/ MS/MS分析是在1997年安装的Thermo Finnigan LCQ-Classic上进行的，MALDI-TOF质谱是在Applied Biosystems Voyager-DE STR上获得的。这些仪器已经成为大量研究人员鉴定和表征蛋白质和肽的非常强大的工具。2003年的用户组包括来自UTHSCSA 14个系的36名教职员工，以及来自德克萨斯州和美国其他机构的一些研究人员。LCQ-Classic的一些技术限制以及对其使用寿命的担忧促使人们努力为MSL寻求新仪器的资金。关于仪器的性能，检测限、扫描速度和样品吞吐量的改进将使很大一部分用户群体受益。LTQ在日常维护方面的优势将提高日常使用的效率。2004年2月，温特劳布博士在圣何塞的一次旅行中对LTQ进行了评估，当时她分析了实验室准备的具有代表性的样本。结果清楚地表明，获得LTQ将在以下方面对MSL用户组产生重大好处：(1)鉴定凝胶中低水平的蛋白质；(2)凝胶中复杂混合物中低水平蛋白质的鉴定；(3)低化学计量的磷酸肽检测。给出了9个主要用户、4个次要用户和3个未来用户的项目描述。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Funds are requested to purchase a Thermo Finnigan LTQ linear ion trap mass spectrometer, accompanying micro HPLC system and computer cluster for the Institutional Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (MSL) of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, under the direction of Dr. Susan Weintraub, who has over 30 years experience in biomedical mass spectrometry. At the present time, capillary HPLC-ESI/ MS/MS analyses are conducted on a Thermo Finnigan LCQ-Classic that was installed in 1997, and MALDI-TOF mass spectra are acquired on an Applied Biosystems Voyager-DE STR. These instruments have been extraordinarily powerful tools for identification and characterization of proteins and peptides for a large number of investigators. The 2003 user group consisted of 36 individual faculty members from 14 departments at UTHSCSA in addition to a number of researchers from other institutions in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S. Several technological limitations of the LCQ-Classic along with concerns about its operating lifetime prompted efforts to seek funding for a new instrument for the MSL. Regarding the performance of the instrument, improvements in detection limits, scan speed and sample through-put would benefit a large proportion of the user group. Advantages of the LTQ related to routine maintenance would enhance efficiency of day-to-day usage. Dr. Weintraub evaluated the LTQ during a trip to San Jose in February 2004 at which time she analyzed representative samples prepared in her laboratory. The results clearly demonstrated the significant benefits to the user group of the MSL that will result from acquisition of an LTQ in the following areas: (1) identification of low levels of protein in a gel; (2) identification of a low level of protein in a complex mixture in a gel; and (3) detection of a phosphopeptide at low stoichiometry. Project descriptions for 9 major users, 4 minor users and 3 future users are presented.