Purchase of a MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometer

Arizona State University, Scottsdale AZ

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Arizona State University will acquire a Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometer. This instrument will facilitate research in a number of areas: a) the synthesis of organic compounds, including large porphyrin-based complexes; b) characterization of intermediates and products involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosylated carotenoid myxoxanthophyll; c) characterization of proteins that have undergone posttranslational modifications; d) characterization of synthetic DNA binding polypeptides; and e) proteomics study on extracellular enzymes that degrade phenolic comopounds. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for obtaining accurate molecular weights on molecules up to and over 300,000 daltons, with extremely high sensitivity. Use of a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer has therefore become a standard technique in most DNA/protein core facilities. The ability to obtain very accurate molecular weights of biomolecules is fundamental to all biological and biomedical research and essential in a modern research and training environment.