MALDI-7090 - Features
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer
MultiPlex
MultiPlex maximizes the efficient use of the MALDI-7090 through the combination of the integrated 10 plate loader, the 2 kHz ultra fast UV laser and the MALDI Solutions™ multi-user environment software.
MultiPlex enables both manual investigation and fully automated high-throughput analyses accommodating all types of experiments from single spot investigation to even the longest multi-plate LC-MALDI separations. Furthermore, it is also compatible with the FlexiMass™-SR steel reusable and FlexiMass™-DS disposable polymeric microscope slide format MALDI targets.
The MALDI-7090 is an ideal platform for individual laboratories and core facilities alike. MultiPlex expertly manages the MALDI-7090 workflow.
Experimental set-up, data processing and results review is now possible from any workstation linked to the instrument network thus creating a highly efficient and versatile multi-user interface. The realtime experiment queue within MultiPlex streamlines automated analyses such as LC-MALDI by assigning specific plate locations within the loader and monitoring progress of the submitted experiments. Plates can be loaded and unloaded from the 10 plate loader ready for analysis even while the instrument is running another experiment. The loader chamber also has the option of being held at standard atmosphere or vented to nitrogen to protect more sensitive samples.
Designed for maximum reliability, MultiPlex offers the ultimate flexibility in both high-throughput and multi-user environments.
A source design like no other
The MALDI-7090 includes a number of proprietary features to improve sensitivity and productivity.
- Wide Bore ion Optics: Consisting of unique wide-bore extraction optics, the MALDI-7090 ion optics are designed to maximize ion transmission and minimize source contamination over time.
- Ultra fast Laser: Shimadzu’s proprietary solid-state UV laser, designed specifically for the MALDI-7090, delivers true 2kHz acquisition speed in all modes. The added benefits of variable beam focus and long lifetime maximize reliability and broad-range applicability.
- HD sample viewing: The MALDI-7090 incorporates the latest state-of-the -art camera technology to deliver high-quality full HD color images of the sample with 10µm viewing resolution, software-controlled variable focus and long-life LED illumination.
- TrueClean™: Optimal performance of the MALDI-7090 source is maintained using TrueClean - a novel and fully automated source cleaning process. TrueClean cleans the source electrodes by redirecting the UV laser onto their surface and desorbing any contaminant material. This method is highly efficient and does not require source removal or venting.
Hyper-MS2
The MALDI-7090 sets a new standard in MS/MS acquisition. Several novel and exclusive technologies have been combined to create Hyper-MS2 delivering:
- High resolution ion gating for accurate precursor ion selection
- Unparalleled MS/MS resolution achieved using patented axial spatial distribution focusing: ASDF.
- High and low energy fragmentation maximizing the amount of information extracted from a sample
High-resolution ion gate
The MALDI-7090 is equipped with a dual wire-grid high resolution ion gate.
Compounds of similar nominal mass may produce MS/MS spectra that contain fragment ions from several precursors if not gated correctly. However, the high-resolution ion gate in the MALDI-7090 allows the individual gating of species close in nominal mass thus producing distinct fragment ion spectra.
Axial Spatial Distribution Focusing - ASDF
ASDF is a Shimadzu patented technology that enables unparalleled resolution in MS/MS acquisitions. Through correction of the axial spatial distribution of the ions generated, the mass resolution is significantly increased and becomes essentially independent of the laser power used to ionize the sample.
With ASDF, the MALDI-7090 can achieve mass resolution of 10,000 FHWM – unobtainable through pulsed extraction and ion optics alone.
High- and low-energy fragmentation
- High-energy CID:
MS/MS fragmentation in the MALDI-7090 is true high-energy CID (HE-CID).
Ions enter the collision cell at 20keV extraction energy. Furthermore, collisions with helium rather than heavier gases (air or argon) result in the most efficient generation of ions only associated with HE-CID (e.g.: peptide side –chain and lipid backbone fragmentation).
MS/MS fragmentation is further enriched by retaining all of the metastable decay ions through the reflectron analyzer, maximizing the amount of information extracted from each sample.
- Low-energy fragmentation (metastable decay):
The MALDI-7090 can also be used in low-energy fragmentation mode without collision gas. Here the fragmentation relies on spontaneous metastable decay of the precursor and exhibits low-energy type ions.