title: An integrated microfluidics-tandem mass spectrometry system for automated protein analysis.
abstract: We describe an integrated analytical system consisting of a microfluidics device micromachined using photolithography/etching technology, a panel of computer-controlled high-voltage relays, and an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer. Movement of solvents and samples on the device and off the device to the mass spectrometer was achieved by directed electroosmotic pumping induced by the activation of a suitable constellation of high-voltage relays. The system was used for the sequential automated analysis of protein digests. We demonstrate low femtomole per microliter sensitivity of detection and compatibility of the system with the automated analysis of proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Daniel.Figeys@nrc.ca
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Figeys
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Gygi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aebersold
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001322:Autoanalysis; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins