title: Improvement in the apparent mass resolution of oligonucleotides by using 12C/14N-enriched samples.
abstract: The apparent mass resolution of oligonucleotides in time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometers has been examined. In a reflectron TOF instrument, where the isotopic profile can be completely resolved, the apparent resolution matches the instrument's resolving power. In a linear TOF instrument, unresolved isotopic profiles limit the apparent resolution to much lower values than the actual instrument resolution. By using 12C/14N-enriched oligonucleotides, the apparent resolution can be improved significantly. The isotope enrichment method also enhances the signal-to-noise ratio.
authors.affiliation: Sequenom Inc., San Diego, California 92121, USA. ktang@sequenom.com
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahgholi
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Heaney
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cantor
authors.forename: Lincoln G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009584:Nitrogen; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D009584:Nitrogen