title: Ionic liquids as matrices in microfluidic sample deposition for high-mass matrix- assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.
abstract: Sample preparation for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) via a microfluidic deposition device using ionic liquid matrices addresses several problems of standard protocols with crystalline matrices, such as the heterogeneity of sample spots due to the co-crystallization of sample and matrix and the limited capability for high-throughput analysis. Since ionic liquid matrices do not solidify during the measurement, the resulting sample spots are homogeneous. The use of these matrices is also beneficial for automated sample preparation, since crystallization of the matrix is avoided and, thus, no clogging of the spotting device can occur. The applicability of ionic liquids to the analysis of biomolecules with high molecular weights, up to ≈ 1 MDa is shown, as well as a good sensitivity (5 fmol) for recombinant human fibronectin, a protein with a molecular weight of 226 kDa. Microfluidic sample deposition of proteins with high molecular weights will, in the future, allow parallel sample preparation for MALDI-MS and for electron microscopy.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Weidmann
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Kemmerling
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Mädler
authors: Henning
authors: H
authors: Stahlberg
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Braun
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Zenobi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003460:Crystallization; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008970:Molecular Weight; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D052578:Ionic Liquids; D013954:Thyroglobulin