Ir maldi mass spectrometry of nucleic acids using liquid matrices
AssigneeSequenom, Inc.
InventorFRANZ HILLENKAMP
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Abstract
Mass spectrometry of large nucleic acids by infrared Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) using a liquid matrix is reported.
Claims99
A method for analyzing biological macromolecules in a sample comprising:
- exposing the sample to infrared radiation;
- and
- analyzing the sample using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- whereby the accuracy of mass determination by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization is in the range of about 102 to about 5×103 ppm.
The method of cliam 1, wherein the accuracy of mass determination by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization is in the range of about 1×103 to about 5×103 ppm.
A method for analyzing biological macromolecules in a sample comprising:
- exposing the sample to infrared radiation;
- and
- analyzing the sample using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein the molecular weight of the biological macromolecule is 150 kDa or less;
- and
- the precision of mass determination by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization is in the range of about 200-500 ppm.
The method of 4, wherein the precision of mass determination by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization is in the range of about 400-500 ppm.
A method for analyzing biological macromolecules in a sample comprising:
- exposing the sample to infrared radiation;
- and
- analyzing the sample using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein the molecular weight of the biological macromolecule exceeds 1 MDa.
A method for analyzing biological macromolecules in a sample comprising:
- exposing the sample to infrared radiation;
- and
- analyzing the sample using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein delayed ion extraction is used in the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for enhanced mass resolution.
A method for analyzing biological macromolecules in a sample comprising:
- exposing the sample to infrared radiation;
- and
- analyzing the sample using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein the the biological macromolecule is a polypeptide greater than 50 kDa and the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is performed using a reflectron time-of-flight format.
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a nucleic acid in a sample, comprising:
- mixing the nucleic acid with a liquid matrix;
- and
- analyzing the mixture using infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein the nucleic acid is detected if present in the sample.
A method for detecting the presence or absence of a nucleic acid in a sample, comprising:
- mixing the nucleic acid with a matrix which forms a homogeneous solution with the nucleic acid;
- and
- analyzing the mixture using infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry;
- wherein the nucleic acid is detected if present in the sample.
A process for performing matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) of a nucleic acid in preparation for analysis by mass spectrometry, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a solution containing the nucleic acid and a liquid matrix on a substrate, thereby forming a homogeneous, thin layer of a nucleic acid/liquid matrix solution;
- and
- (b) illuminating the substrate with infrared radiation, so that the nucleic acid in the solution is desorbed and ionized.
A process for analyzing a nucleic acid by mass spectrometry, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a solution containing the nucleic acid and a liquid matrix on a substrate, thereby forming a homogeneous, thin layer of a nucleic acid/liquid matrix solution;
- (b) illuminating the substrate of (a) with an infrared laser, so that the nucleic acid is desorbed and ionized;
- and
- (c) mass separating and detecting the ionized nucleic acid using an appropriate mass separation and analysis format.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.