APPLICATIONS OF MASS-SPECTROMETRY TO THE CHARACTERIZATION OF OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND NUCLEIC-ACIDS

Mass spectrometry-based techniques continue to undergo active developm ent for applications to nucleic acids, fueled by methods based an elec trospray and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization. In the past two years, notable advances have occurred in multiple interrelated are as, including sequencing techniques for oligonucleotides, approaches t o mixture analysis, microscale sample handling and targeted DNA assays ; and improvements in instrumentation for greater sensitivity and mass resolution. (C) Current Biology Ltd ISSN 0958-1669.