MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER-DESORPTION IONIZATION MASS-SPECTROMETRY (MALDI-MS)

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-M S) has been responsible for solving many problems in structural biolog y. Mass analysis is now used routinely to confirm proper expression an d processing of proteins, and to locate and identity post-translationa l modifications. Innovative advances in instrumentation have led to hi gher mass resolution and mass accuracy. New sample preparation methods are likewise yielding higher sensitivity plus greater tolerance for b uffer components that have in the past suppressed signals at higher co ncentrations. Advancements in the technique have also led to new or im proved applications in many areas, including peptide sequencing and th e identification of proteins by database searching with peptide masses . Instruments with lower cost, smaller size, and higher performance ar e making mass measurements available to an increasing number of labora tories. MALDI-MS is poised to continue to improve in performance and i n its usefulness for current and new applications.