Critical Addition of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometer for the University of Waterloo Mass Spectrometry Facility

高摩尔质量（生物）材料/（生物）聚合物的质谱分析成功的关键要求是高灵敏度和精确测量摩尔质量到100 kDa的能力。滑铁卢大学质谱分析设施（UWMSF）拥有最先进的系统，可通过电喷雾电离（ESI），大气压化学电离，实时直接分析以及超高性能液相色谱联用质谱法和串联质谱法分析小分子。然而，这些能力不能满足表征非易失性和高摩尔质量材料的需求，导致许多研究项目被严重削减。我们已经研究了电喷雾电离（ESI）对这些系统的有用性，但非常有限或没有成功。这一关键缺陷可以通过获得矩阵辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间（MALDI-TOF）仪器来解决。目前华盛顿大学还没有这样的设备。

Critical requirements for the successful mass spectrometric analysis of high molar mass (bio)materials/(bio)polymers are a high sensitivity and the ability to measure the molar mass accurately to > 100 kDa. The University of Waterloo Mass Spectrometry Facility (UWMSF) has state-of-the-art systems for the analysis of small molecules by electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, direct analysis in real time, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. However these capabilities cannot address demands to characterize nonvolatile and high molar mass materials resulting in many research programs being severely curtailed. We have investigated the usefulness of electrospray ionization (ESI) for these systems with very limited or no success. This critical deficiency can be addressed with the acquisition of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) instrument. No such equipment exists at the UW at present.