NSF Award
9217434
9217434 Matsudaira A mass spectrometer will be used primarily by groups involved in protein sequencing and peptide synthesis that currently use outside facilities for mass analysis and by the mouse genome project for developing methods for mapping DNA fragments. Laser desorption is a far superior technique for detecting, resolving, and determining the mass of a molecule. Ionization of the sample by laser desorption has many advantages over ionization by fast atom bombardment, plasma desorption, electrospray, or thermospray methods. The Lasermat routinely provides masses in the range 1,000 - 100,000 from < 1 pmol of proteins and peptides. The accuracy of the mass observed mass is sample dependent but is generally within 0.1% at a mass of 30,000. The instrument is operated through easy-to-use software on a personal computer which controls data collection and analysis. The software simplifies the training of unspecialized researchers in the operation of the instrument and eliminates the need for a specialist in mass spectrometry to operate the instrument and analyze the spectra.
