Mass Spectrometry

Additional Information

EMSL's mass spectrometry capabilities enable high-throughput, high-resolution analysis of complex mixtures. These resources are applied to a broad range of scientific problems from proteomics studies with applications to human health and environmental remediation to aerosol particle characterization, as well as fundamental studies of ion-surface collisions and preparatory mass spectrometry using ion soft-landing.

Proteomics Resources and Research

Proteomics capabilities housed in EMSL, including state-of-the-art instruments and sophisticated bioinformatics methods, have been developed and acquired in coordination with the EMSL scientific user program and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) programmatic research. These resources may be accessed via EMSL User Access or by collaborating with scientists who perform proteomics research at PNNL.

Cutting-edge proteomics tools and methods available at EMSL facilitate advanced global proteomics research and allow detailed visualization and analyses of cellular proteins. Proteomics research and tools at EMSL include:

Cell signaling and responses at the molecular level to chemical or radiological insults
Proteomic analyses of whole cell lysates
Analyses of organic macromolecules and protein complexes
Targeted proteomic analyses of subcellular fractions
Top-down proteomics methods
Quantitation using isotopic labeling and label-free approaches.

Though access to mass spectrometry hardware at EMSL is only available to EMSL users and PNNL collaborators, PNNL and EMSL provide a collection of software tools to the entire proteomics community through the National Center for Research Resources Proteomics Research Resource for Integrative Biology, such as the PC-based software package, DECON2LS, and VIPER, which offers 'omics data analysis capabilities. Software and data can also be accessed via Biological and Environmental Research – PNNL Proteomics and PNNL's Biological MS Data and Software Distribution Center.

Aerosol Particle Characterization Resources and Research

Unique, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry tools enable EMSL users to characterize environmentally relevant aerosols with high specificity and resolution. Scientists use these tools to study fast chemical reactions; characterize particles with low number concentrations; detect and characterize the chemical structure of high-molecular weight organic compounds in aerosol and cloud water samples; and characterize in detail the chemical composition and transformation of particulate matter collected on substrates using novel atmospheric pressure surface ionization techniques.

Many EMSL aerosol characterization instruments are field deployable, allowing researchers to capture aerosol data on location, in real time. Other instruments are used for comprehensive off-line characterization of atmospheric aerosols.

ION-SURFACE COLLISIONS RESOURCES AND RESEARCH

EMSL hosts a number of unique mass spectrometry instruments specially configured for studying fundamental aspects of activation, dissociation, and deposition (soft-landing) of complex molecular ions following collision with specially prepared surfaces. EMSL researchers use a combination of experimental studies of collisional activation and dissociation of complex molecules in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer with RRKM modeling to determine the internal energy distribution of excited ions and the energetics and dynamics of dissociation of a variety of complex ions and non-covalent complexes. Preparatory mass spectrometry using soft-landing of mass selected ions on surfaces enables highly specific modification of surfaces, preparation of novel materials, and facilitates molecular level understanding of interactions of biomolecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces in living systems.

Capability Detail

Refer to the table below for a full listing, which leads to complete information about each of EMSL's mass spectrometry instruments. Brief details about the primary mass spectrometry tools available to EMSL users immediately follow.

Proteomics Capabilities

FT mass spectrometers, including 7-T and 12-T FTICRs, four LTQ-Orbitraps, and three Orbitraps
Five linear ion traps (one with ETD)
Three triple-quadrupole spectrometers
Three ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) - time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometers
Seventeen custom HPLC, three Agilent HPLC

Aerosol and Ion-Surface Collision Capabilities

LTQ Orbitrap for environmental research
Field-deployable second-generation single-particle laser-ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometer
6-Tesla FTICR specially configured for studying ion-surface interactions
Ion deposition instrument for selective preparation of novel materials using ion soft-landing

Predictive model a step toward using bacteria as a renewable fuel source (Green isoprene)
Examining the core components of Arctic clouds to clear up their influence on climate (Forecast calls for better models)
Termite digestive-tract microorganisms: a resource to fuel the future (Gut reaction)
Predictive models of environmental reaction kinetics made more accurate, scalable (Scaled up)
Scientists gain first quantitative insights into electron transfer from minerals to microbes (Tunable transfer)