An Introduction to MALDI-TOF MS

Identification of Microorganisms by Mass Spectrometry, Edited by Charles L. Wilkins and Jackson O. Lay, Jr. 

Mass spectrometry is not a new technique. The separation of charged particles based on mass, charge, and flight path has been known since J. J. 

Source Region Field Free Region Detector 

This energy of motion is a kinetic energy (KE) given by the equation 

3) the mass and velocity of the ions are m and v. Mass spectrometry data are usually plotted with ion abundance on the vertical axis and the mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio on the horizontal one. Solving for the mass-to-charge value (m/z), we obtain 

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Further performance improvements in analysing nucleic acids could be achieved by the introduction of 3-hydroxypicolinic add as matrix [8] and the introduction of delayed extraction in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer [9]. If, for MALDI Fourier transform mass spectrometry, the molecular weight range in analysing nucleic add fragments could be extended further this type of MALDI MS would become of significant value due to the extraordinary resolution possible [10, 11]. In order to reach the sensitivity level necessary for MALDI-TOF MS analysis an amplification step has to be incorporated into the sample preparation process for... 

The introduction of delayed ion extraction in MALDI-TOF instruments in 1995 resulted in a tremendous improvement in analytical performance, mass resolution and accuracy. Using this technique, peptide mass mapping gained high specificity for protein identification and an ability to identify individual components among simple protein mixtures [60, 61]. Improved sample preparation methods also provided an enhanced sensitivity to enable analysis of femtomolar levels of protein [5, 19], Today, the automation of MALDI-MS data acquisition enables the analysis of hundreds of samples each day in large-scale protein identification experiments [62]. 

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