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A National User Facility for the Scientific Community

High-Performance Mass Spectrometry Facility

At the High-Performance Mass Spectrometry Facility, resident and visiting EMSL users employ cutting-edge mass spectrometry methods that focus on global proteomics research and allow visualization and analyses of cell proteins in greater detail than before. State-of-the-art instruments are available for challenging research in proteomics, cell signaling, cellular molecular machines, and high-molecular weight systems. Specific research activities include:

  • proteomic analyses of whole cell lysates
  • analyses of organic macromolecules and protein complexes
  • quantitation using isotopically labeled growth media
  • targeted proteomics analyses of subcellular fractions
  • nucleic acid analyses of RNA and DNA oligomers.

Major components of this facility that are available to EMSL users include the following:

  • FTICR mass spectrometers ranging from 7 tesla to 12 tesla, with electrospray ionization sources.
    Photo of the 7 Tesla FTICR mass spectrometer
    7 Tesla FTICR mass spectrometer
  • Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer, Micromass QTOF with custom high sensitivity inlet, equipped with a MicroSpray source. This instrument can handle ultralow flow with minimal sample consumption, providing high sensitivity at very low flow rates.
  • Four Finnigan LTQ ion trap spectrometers, linear quadrupole ion trap-based instruments designed for use with electrospray ionization sources. The mass range of this instrument is 150 m/z to 2000 m/z, but can be extended to 4000 m/z for some applications. The LTQ has a maximum resolution of 10,000 in the zoom scan mode, and 4000 in full scan mode.

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) funds a collection of software tools for use at EMSL's High-Performance Mass Spectrometry Facility.

Many additional pieces of equipment are also available for use at the High-Performance Mass Spectrometry Facility.

Staff of the High-Performance Mass Spectrometry Facility

Virtual Tours of High-Performance Mass Spectrometry facilities

Website: http://www.emsl.pnl.gov/docs/msd/mass_spec/home/

Contact: Ljiljana Pasa Tolic (509-371-6585), ms@emsl.pnl.gov