Pharmaceutical NEWS - Spring 2008

MALDI-TOF MS successful for protein characterization

Biochemists at Lancaster Laboratories are successfully characterizing proteins, complex carbohydrates and nucleic acids by developing and validating new methods for determining molecular weights using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The Applied Biosystems Voyager DE PRO Workstation in use at Lancaster Laboratories features vacuum MALDI as its method of ionization, a technique that offers improved sensitivity over atmospheric pressure (AP) MALDI. Other benefits of the technology include:

• Ability to analyze small sample size
• Speed of analysis
• No upper mass limit
• Lack of protein de-convolution
• Decreased opportunity for bias in test results

Dr. Robert J. Duff, manager of the Biochemistry Group at Lancaster Laboratories oversees the analysis. “Sample preparation for MALDI-TOF MS analysis can be challenging, so experienced, Ph.D. level biochemists are performing the tests and operating our instrument,” says Dr. Duff. For more information about MALDI-TOF MS analysis, contact Pharmaceutical Business Development at 717-656-2300.