MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Researchers are encouraged to discuss materials and precautions with the facility prior to developing their mass spectrometry strategy. Careful sample preparation is essential for obtaining reliable MALDI data, and individual users will be responsible for this. We will be happy to supply a cleanup protocol upon request, but materials for implementing it are the responsibility of individual users. Spotting targets are available for use in the facility; however, those anticipating repeated use should purchase their own spotting target. These come in a variety of sizes and configurations, are reusable, and can be obtained from Bruker Daltonics for less than $500 (see www.bdal.de).

Our facility is located in Room 116 Farber and houses a Bruker Biflex IV Maldi-tof spectrometer. For high throughput applications, a Bruker Scout spotting robot is also available. The MALDI is suitable for walk-up use, but as with any sophisticated instrument, prior preliminary training in its operation is essential. Such generic training can be arranged by contacting the facility manager, Sujith Alphy (829-2215, 829-2159; alphy@buffalo.edu ).

Time on the facility can be scheduled on the Maldi on line calendar (click link). If you have any problems or questions with the calendar please email jluck@buffalo.edu.

User Fees

MALDI users are charged based on either usage time or per experiment. Users performing their own analyses, and therefore requiring only instruction and access to instrument time, are assessed a fee of $45 per hour. Unfunded investigators should consult with the facility director, Dr. Kenneth Blumenthal (829-2727; kblumen@buffalo.edu), regarding limited non-fee access.

Signup sheets for scheduling instrument use are maintained in Room 116 Farber Hall, and a login book can be found with the spectrometer in Room 117. All users are expected to schedule their time in advance, and to sign in and out for use. PIs will be billed for group usage monthly.

Fee for Service

Protein identification is also available on a fee for service basis. From 1-D gels, facility staff will perform band excision, in-gel digestion, sample clean-up, MALDI-TOF MS, and preliminary bioinformatics, at a cost of $125 per band. Investigators should consult with facility staff prior to utilizing this service.

Technical Information

Useful technical information relating to sample preparation, applications of the technology, and a general review can be found in the Protocols section of this site, or in the following references:

Mann, M., Hendrickson, R.C., and Pandey, A. (2001) "Analysis of proteins and proteomes by mass spectrometry," Ann. Rev. Biochem. 70, 437-73.

Fountoulakis and Langen (1997) "Identification of proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry following in-gel digestion in low-salt, nonvolatile buffer and simplified peptide recovery," Anal. Biochem. 250, 153.

Zhang et al (1994) "Matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometric peptide mapping of proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: determination of phosphorylation in synapsin I," Protein Science 3, 677.

Liang et al (1996) "Characterization of SDS-PAGE-separated proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry," Anal. Chem. 68, 1012.

Carr and Anan (1996) Mass Spectrometry, in Current Protocols in Protein Science, suppl. 4, sections 16.1 and 16.2

Link: back to Core Research Facilities
Link: 2D-DIGE
Link: BIAcore X