Mass Spectrometry In Biomolecular Sciences

Mass Spectrometry in the Biological Sciences covers the most recent technological and applied developments in the area, including both ionization techniques and ion analysis. It introduces and reviews some of the newer ionization methods, describes the major instrumentation involved in mass analysis, and presents the scope of the technology in biology, medicine, and environmental science. Specific examples are given for a number of topics. It also deals with recent achievements in the on-line combination of separation techniques such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and supercritical fluid technology.

Many fundamental aspects of the methods used in mass spectrometry are here presented by outstanding scientists, with reference to very recent developments. The principles and applications of electrospray, ion spray and MALDI ionization technique are presented, together with optimised GC/MS interfacing systems and tools for quantitative analysis. A comprehensive treatment of modern instrumentation for mass analysis and detection is also included. The major part of the book deals with bioanalytical applications to peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, polysaccharides, lipids and plant metabolites. Several papers are devoted to the evaluation of adduct formation between DNA and carcinogens. Environmental applications are also included, with examples of some specific cases. Fundamentals and applications are treated with the same degree of depth: the first two parts of the book therefore provide a basis for the understanding of the biomolecular applications section. Audience: Ideal for advanced graduate students of chemistry who have learned some basic mass spectrometry. Also useful for Ph.D. students in chemistry, biology and medicine. Of value to researchers in academic and industrial laboratories.

This updated volume provides stepwise instructions for the analysis of numerous clinically important analytes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry offers clinical laboratory scientists a number of advantages including increased sensitivity and specificity, multiple component analysis, and limited need for specialized reagents. These techniques are essential in laboratory fields including endocrinology, biochemical genetics, drug analysis, proteomics, and pathogen identification. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and practical, Clinical Applications of Mass Spectrometry in Biomolecular Analysis: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is an ideal resource for clinical laboratory scientists who are already using or thinking of bringing mass spectrometry to their laboratories.

The developments in mass spectrometry over the past fifteen years have been impressive in their implications in bioanalytical chemistry. The achievements begin with the inventions of Cf-252 Plasma Desorption Mass Spectrometry by Macfarlane and Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry by Comisarow and Marshall in the mid 1970s. The former showed the feasibility of producing large gas-phase ions from large biomolecules whereas the latter enhanced the capabilities for ion trapping especially in analytical mass spectrometry. A major achievement was the development by Barber of Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry, an advance that heralded a new era in biological mass spectrometry. Contemporary and routine instruments such as magnetic sectors and quadrupoles were rapidly adapted to F AB, and nearly the entire universe of small molecules became amenable to study by mass spectrometry. The introduction of FAB also paved the way for improvement of instrument capability. For example, the upper mass limit of magnet sector mass spectrometers was increased by nearly an order of magnitude by the instrument manufacturers. Furthermore, the technique of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was given new meaning because important structural information for biomolecules could now be produced for ions introduced by FAB into the tandem instrument. The evolution of MS/MS continues today with the development of ion traps, time-of-flight, and sector instruments equipped with array detection.

This volume provides stepwise instructions for the analysis of numerous clinically important analytes by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry offers clinical laboratory scientists a number of advantages including increased sensitivity and specificity, multiple component analysis, and no need for specialized reagents. The techniques described are a must for the measurement of many clinically relevant analytes in the fields of drug analysis, endocrinology, and inborn errors of metabolism. Each chapter provides a brief introduction about a specified analyte, followed by detailed instructions on the analytical protocol. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting edge and practical, Clinical Applications of Mass Spectrometry in Biomolecular Analysis: Methods and Protocols is a great resource for clinical laboratory scientists who are already using or thinking of bringing mass spectrometry to their laboratories.

Leading practitioners describe in detail advanced methods of mass spectrometry used in structural characterization of biomacromolecules of both natural and recombinant origin. They demonstrate by example how these methodologies can solve a wide array of real-world problems in protein biochemistry, immunology, and glycobiology, as well as for human bacterial pathogens, lipids, and nucleic acids. The book offers a unique opportunity to learn these techniques that are revolutionizing the field. Its authoritative assessment in the context of how to solve important and challenging problems in bioscience and medicine ensures a competitive advantage for today's researchers.

An extensive compilation of articles by leading professionals, this reference explains the fundamental principles of mass spectrometry as they relate to the life sciences. Topics covered include spectroscopy, energetics and mechanisms of peptide fragmentation, electron capture dissociation, ion-ion and ion-molecule reactions, reaction dynamics, collisional activation, soft-landing, protein structure and interactions, thermochemistry, and more. The book empowers readers to develop new ways of using these techniques.

Second Edition provides up-to-the-minute discussions on the application of mass spectrometry to the biological sciences. Shows how and why experiments are performed and furnishes details to facilitate duplication of results.