Major types of mass spectrometry

Since conception over 100 years ago, MS has become an important analytical and research tool with diverse applications ranging from astronomical study of the solar system to materials analysis and process monitoring in chemical, oil and pharmaceutical industries. Use of MS has led to very many scientific breakthroughs including the discovery of isotopes, accurate determination of atomic mass, and the characterization of biomolecular structure. Indeed, MS is now a fundamental technique employed in pharmacology, toxicology and other biological, environmental and biomedical sciences. 

The key forms of MS are based upon ESI and MALDI, and these are typically combined with other common analytical separation techniques to give the following powerful bioanalytical tools  

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) Involves three main stages (i) selection of parent (precursor) ion (ii) fragmentation of parent ion hy so-called collision-induced dissociation (CID) and (iii) analysis of fragmented daughter (product) ions. MS/MS uses mass analysers in series, hence the name tandem mass spectrometry. 

Capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) Direct coupling of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and MS, where the mass spectrometer serves as the detector. Biomolecules are separated through the narrow capillary of the CE system and then interface with the MS for subsequent analysis. 

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