title: Improvement of the MALDI-TOF analysis of DNA with thin-layer matrix preparation.
abstract: A new method of sample preparation was developed for MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of oligonucleotides. First, aqueous DNA samples are dispensed and allowed to dry. Then 6-aza-2-thiothymine matrix dissolved in nonaqueous volatile solvents is applied on top of the DNA residue to form a thin homogeneous film. MALDI-TOF analysis shows such preparation generates much better shot-to-shot and sample-to-sample reproducibility and essentially eliminates the need to search for "hot" spots. The increased homogeneity of the matrix/analyte crystal distribution results in significant improvement for quantitative and high-throughput analyses of DNA. Using this method, isotopically resolved oligonucleotide spectra up to a 24-mer can also be easily obtained in a reflectron instrument. Due to the ease of preparation, this method could be widely useful for a number of applications such as for assays that are performed on surface in vitro, as the thin-layer matrix could be applied directly for MALDI analysis.
authors.affiliation: Sequenom Inc., San Diego, California 92121, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Heaney
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013941:Thymine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D014227:Triazines
chemical_list: D014227:Triazines; C005823:2-thio-6-azathymine; D004247:DNA; D013941:Thymine