High-resolution separation of bioisomers using ion cloud profiling

Abstract

Elucidation of complex structures of biomolecules plays a key role in the field of chemistry and life sciences. In the past decade, ion mobility, by coupling with mass spectrometry, has become a unique tool for distinguishing isomers and isoforms of biomolecules. In this study, we develop a concept for performing ion mobility analysis using an ion trap, which enables isomer separation under ultra-high fields to achieve super high resolutions over 10,000. The potential of this technology has been demonstrated for analysis of isomers for biomolecules including disaccharides, phospholipids, and peptides with post-translational modifications.

Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry for Large Synthetic Molecules: Expanding the Analytical Toolbox

“…The latter has increased over the past two decades, for example in the form of cyclical IM-MS 97,98 and SLIM (structures of lossless ion manipulation) mobility devices, 99 and we expect that such developments in instrumentation will further drive our ability to separate ions based on their mobility. 100 As early as 1990, using a drift-tube IM-MS instrument, Kemper and Bowers were able to separate the ground and excited state of Co + . 101 Recently, Mullen and co-workers separated the diastereomers of different {M 4 L 6 } coordination cages.…”

“…One of the main advantages of IM is the ability to resolve highly similar ions by measuring differences in arrival time or CCS , and this often depends on the resolving power of the instrument. The latter has increased over the past two decades, for example in the form of cyclical IM-MS , and SLIM (structures of lossless ion manipulation) mobility devices, and we expect that such developments in instrumentation will further drive our ability to separate ions based on their mobility . As early as 1990, using a drift-tube IM-MS instrument, Kemper and Bowers were able to separate the ground and excited state of Co + .…”

Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry for Synthetic Molecules: Expanding the Analytical Toolbox

“…The latter has increased over the last two decades, for example in form of cyclical ion mobility mass spectrometers 95,96 and SLIM (structures of lossless ion manipulation) mobility devices, 97 and we expect that such developments in instrumentation will further drive our ability to separate ions based on their mobility. 98 As early as 1990, using a drift-tube IM-MS instrument, Kemper and Bowers were able to separate the ground and excited state of Co + . 99 Recently, Mullen and co-workers separated the diastereomers of different {M4L6} coordination cages.…”

Enhancing sensitivity in miniature mass spectrometry analysis via dicationic ionic liquid-based matrix-assisted ionization and charge inversion reactions

“…Thus, the utility of mass spectrometers in the field is limited. The past decades have witnessed significant growth in the development of miniature mass spectrometers, 8–11 which has enabled conventional MS techniques to be utilized outside the laboratory. Consequently, in situ analysis has become more practical in various fields.…”