American Society for Mass Spectrometry 2012 Product Showcase

Customer Success Manager

Mass spectrometry is a fundamental technique used by chemists and life science researchers for determining unknown samples across various research areas, such as environmental analysis, toxicology testing, proteomics, metabolomics, and chemistry analysis. Those who have this analytical technique at the heart of their laboratory research, and those alike, congregate to the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) annual meeting. The 60th Annual Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics was held May 20–24, 2012, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada (see Figure 1). The following review briefly showcases new mass spectrometry introductions and current products pertinent to the field of mass spectrometry.

LC-MS

Thermo Fisher Scientific (www.thermofisher.com) showcased the new Thermo Scientific™ Exactive Plus™ LC-MS System (Figure 2). This benchtop system can perform high-throughput screening for identification of compounds in complex samples for environmental testing, clinical research, drug discovery, forensic toxicology, and pharmaceutical analysis. The Exactive Plus features a 50–6000 m/z mass range, resolution of 140,000 at m/z 200, and <1 ppm mass accuracy.

Figure 1 – Vancouver Convention Centre. (Photograph courtesy of Vancouver Convention Centre.)

AB SCIEX (www.absciex.com) introduced two new LC-MS-MS systems, which are part of the new 6500 Series: the AB SCIEX Triple Quad™ 6500 and QTRAP® 6500 LC-MS-MS Systems. These two systems can perform lower quantitation for applications in drug discovery, forensic toxicology, biomedical, and clinical research. Both systems feature a mass range of up to 2000 m/z, 20-msec switching speeds, and an IonDrive™ high-energy detector for improved dynamic range.

Figure 2 – Thermo Scientific Exactive Plus LC-MS System.

The LCMS-8040 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer and LCMS-8080 Triple Quadrupole LC-MS-MS from Shimadzu Corporation (www.shimadzu.com) were introduced at the show as a full solution to the company’s LC-MS-MS research solutions. Capable of qualitative and quantitative sample analysis, the LCMS-8040 is equipped with 15-msec switching speeds, 15,000 u/sec scanning rate for increased throughput analysis, and improved UF-Lens™ ion optics for increased sensitivity and reduced ion loss.

UPLC®-MS

Waters Corporation (www.waters.com) presented the UNIFI UPLC-MS Screening Platform Solution. The UNIFI is an all-inclusive package comprised of the Xevo® G2-S QTof (quantitative time-of-flight) Mass Spectrometer, ACQUITY UPLC® I-Class System, UNIFI Scientific Information System, and related standards and reagents. Specifically, this solution was presented for environmental analysis of pesticide screening, and drug discovery analysis for metabolite identification.

GC-MS

The GCMS-TQ8030 Ultra Fast Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer was also released by Shimadzu. This new GC-MS system can perform down to parts-per-trillion (ppt) trace analysis for environmental, food, and forensics analysis. The GCMS-TQ8030 System also features UFsweeper® Technology, which allows faster passage of ions through the collision cells.

TOF-MS

Leco Corporation (www.leco.com) previewed the new GC×GC High-Resolution TOF-MS System. With a current resolution of up to 50,000 FWHM with the GC×GC system, the new high-resolution TOF-MS system is capable of 200 spectra/sec rate for improved sample analysis, especially of complex samples.

Figure 3 – AxION Direct Sample Analysis System.

Waters Corporation also showcased two systems: the Xevo G2-S QTof Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and the Xevo G2-S Tof Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer. Both mass spec systems feature StepWave™ ion optics technology for increased sensitivity as it pumps contamination out of the sample and further moves the sample through the system. These systems are also UPLC-compatible through QuanTof™ Technology.

AB SCIEX also introduced two new TOF-MS systems. The AB SCIEX TripleTOF® 5600+ System is a 21 CFR 11-compliant mass spectrometer that provides qualitative and quantitative sample analysis for applications in pharmaceutical and proteomics research. The TripleTOF 5600+ System can run for more than 50 continuous hours with an acquisition scan rate of 100 spectra/sec and stable mass accuracy of ~2 ppm. The AB SCIEX TripleTOF 4600 System features a resolution of <30,000 FWHM with an accumulation time of ~10 msec. The TripleTOF 4600 provides acquisition scan speeds and mass accuracy comparable to the TripleTOF 5600+.

PerkinElmer (www.perkinelmer.com) presented the AxION® Direct Sample Analysis (DSA) System (Figure 3). Coupled with PerkinElmer’s AxION 2 TOF Mass Spectrometer, the AxION DSA System eliminates sample preparation of front-end chromatograph separation, which means no need for chromatography. This system not only allows for savings related to costs associated with sample prep, but also enables quicker mass spec sample analysis. Key applications for the DSA system are environmental, pharmaceutical, food safety, and forensics.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer

Bruker Daltonics (www.bdal.com) announced the ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometer. This new MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer provides analysis in MS and MS-MS modes for applications in proteomics research. The ultrafleXtreme features a 1-kHz smartbeam II laser for improved data acquisition speeds, spatial resolution of 10 µm, and mass accuracy of 1 ppm.

Time-of-flight detector

PHOTONIS USA (www.photonis.com) displayed the new High Mass BiPolar Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Detector. This TOF detector is designed with a 250-mm2 area for collection. Along with this expansion, the gridless optical component allows for detection of sample masses over 100 kDa at high sensitivities.

LAESI-MS ionization system

The LAESI DP-1000 Direct Ionization System from Protea Biosciences Group, Inc. (www.proteabio.com) was on display at the conference. The LAESI DP-1000 System can identify biomolecules, such as proteins and peptides, from a sample with little or no sample preparation of the sample. When used in conjunction with a mass spectrometer, the system allows not only identification of biomolecules, but also quantification.

Mass spectrometry ion source

The Chip-Mate™ from Advion, Inc. (www.advion.com), introduced at the conference, is a chip-based nano-liquid chromatography (LC) ion source for nano-electrospray ionization applications in proteomics or quantification of nano-LC molecules.

Figure 4 – OpenSpot Sample Card.

Mass spectrometry sample cards

Ion Sense, Inc. (www.ionsense.com) presented OpenSpot Mass Spectrometry™ through its OpenSpot™ Sample Cards (Figure 4). Another solution that eliminates the need for sample preparation, OpenSpot Sample Cards help to streamline mass spec sample analysis of raw materials and other unknown materials.

Mass spectrometry filaments

Yttria-coated SISAlloy® (yttria/rhenium alloy) Mass Spectrometer Filaments from Scientific Instrument Services, Inc. (www.sisweb.com) were presented as replacements for standard rhenium filaments. These filaments provide reduced warping, cooler running temperature, increased lifetime, and reduced oxidation, and pose less of an environmental issue than thoriacoated filaments.

Conclusion

The next annual American Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference will be held June 9–13, 2013, in Minneapolis, MN. For show details, please visit www.asms.org. Compare and learn more about these new products and other mass spectrometers at www.labcompare.com.

Jeanely Hunt is Content Editor for American Laboratory/Labcompare; e-mail: [email protected].