Brown University researchers have developed a groundbreaking new method for transferring ions in mass spectrometry with minimal sample loss, improving accuracy and sensitivity. The team created a nanopore ion source with a capillary opening 1,000 times smaller than a human hair, allowing ions dissolved in water to be directly transferred to the vacuum of mass spectrometers. This innovative approach eliminates the need for producing a spray of droplets and significantly reduces sample loss, revolutionizing mass spectrometry technology.
The team’s 10-year effort has culminated in successfully matching ion analysis results done using traditional methods but with far less sample loss. The new transfer method has the potential to streamline proteomic analyses and enable more sensitive analyses, such as sequencing amino acids in proteins one-by-one. By overcoming the sample loss problem, this technology could lead to groundbreaking advancements in protein research.
The researchers aim to further develop and commercialize their nanopore ion source, with the goal of improving the workflow for proteomic analyses and benefiting researchers across various fields. Their persistence and determination in developing this innovative method have yielded promising results and opened up new possibilities for mass spectrometry applications.
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