Description

Focused electrospray (FES) technology provides LC-MS coupling device to enhance detection limit as well as sensitivity for proteomics. In this technology, the charged droplets are focused within a 1-4 mm diameter tip well under atmospheric pressure. The FES produces a more uniform distribution of more fine grains or needles than the dried droplet, leading to the increased detection sensitivity. While the detection limit of the dried droplet method with MALDI-TOF instrument (Bruker) is typically ~50 fmole, the FES allows the detection limit of 5 fmole with angiotensin II using a 3 micron tip and 1 fmole with bradykinin using a 15 micron tip.

Benefits and Applications

Successful demonstration for coupling of LC with MS for enhanced sensitivity and detection limit: Detection sensitivity of 1 fmole for BSA and 100 amole for standard peptides

Detection sensitivity of FES is at least 50 times better than competing technology such as dried droplet method

Constant and good signal to noise ratio at low concentration of various protein samples, resulting in highly reliable analysis

Optimization for the EIS tip size and the detection sensitivity is underway and is completed in 2005, enabling the development of automation for high throughput LC-MS

Intellectual Property Status

Patent pending (US Provisional)

Related Publication

In preparation

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