The Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics Core is equipped to perform detailed proteomic studies. Major instrumentation in the facility include the following:

NEW! ThermoFisher LTQ FT Ultra linear ion-trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. THis insrument is capable of the two alternative activation stratagies electron capture dissociation (ECD) and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD). THis instrument was funded by the National Institutes of Health- National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). To learn more about this instrument and its capabilities you can visit the Thermo Scientific website.

Through the generous support of Generations Cancer Foundation (GCF) the Proteomics Facility has acquired a GE Healthcare Multi Dimensional Liquid Chromatography (MDLC) system. This system is equipped with 4 binary pumps, flow splitters, 4 switching valves, an autosampler and a multiwell fraction collector making it a extremely versatile system for biomolecule separation. It can be used for off-line fractionation, on-line multi-dimensional analysis and high-throughput on-line separations for ESI-MS analysis. High performance LC is critical for successful proteome analysis making this a valuable addition to our facility. Thanks GCF!

Perseptive Biosystems Voyager STR+ MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. PE Biosystems Voyager STR+ MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer is a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer with delayed extraction (time-lag) and a reflectron for improved ion focusing (to improve signal resolution) and post source decay capabilities (PSD). This system provides a sensitive, accurate and expeditious approach to qualitative (and quantitative) analysis of biopolymers.

Perseptive Biosystems Voyager DE-PRO MALDI-TOF. A bench-top version of the STR+, this matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer has delayed extraction and post source decay capabilities. A high voltage detector is employed in the linear mode; a second detector is employed in the reflectron mode.

A Finnigan Deca LCQ mass spectrometer. These instrument is fitted with a custom-built nanospray source and an HP 1100 HPLC system for capillary LC-nanospray MS operation. The LCQ is capable of data dependent LC-MS-MS analysis. This systems is equipped with the database search software MASCOT.

Applied Biosystems Q-STAR XL mass spectrometer. This is a tandem quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) configuration instrument ideally suited to high sensitivity peptide characterization. The accurate mass capability of this MS/MS instrument allows for de novo sequencing of peptides and with on-line HPLC separation this system offers accurate, rapid and sensitive peptide and protein identification. This system is fitted with a nanospray source and an Eldex HPLC system.

HP 5973 GC-MSD system. A fully automated bench-top gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer used for the quantification of posttranslationally modified amino acids in biological samples.

Eskigent nanoHPLC autosampler. This autosampler increases the sample analysis capacity of the Core and utilization of an ESI MS/MS instrument by as much as 300%.  (i.e., From 8 hours of operation per day to 24 hours per day, including weekends). The autosampler has the capacity to deliver 0.1 µL - 1 mL per sample, in 0.1 µl increments, from up to two micro-plates (96 or 384 wells). Direct transfer of micro-plates from the digestion robot to the autosampler for MS data acquisition will further minimize sample handling and improve throughput.

2-D Gel Electrophoretic Assemblies. We have 3 electrophoretic assemblies available for 1D and 2D gel analysis, a digital scanner, and imaging software.

A Randox Evidence antibody array system is available for special use. Interested investigators should contact Dr. Mark Duncan for further information.

If data that was collected on the FT instrument is used for publication please include the following acknowledgement:

The project described was supported by Grant Number S10RR023015 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NCRR or NIH.