New Module for Enhanced Mass Spectrometry Applications Combines Capillary Electrophoresis with Electron Spray Ionization

A new system for separation and characterization of proteins and other large molecules combines capillary electrophoresis (CE) with advanced electrospray ionization (ESI) into a single instrument designed for use with a mass spectrometer.

The new instrument is the Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Brea CA, USA) CESI 8000 High-Performance Separation-ESI Module. The module incorporates Beckman's OptiMS technology and is the first commercial CESI sprayer combined with new capillary electrophoresis instrumentation specifically designed for mass spectrometry (MS).

OptiMS Technology integrates an intrinsically low flow CE separation with ESI in a single, dynamic process that takes place within a capillary. To achieve CESI, the distal end of the capillary is porous to ion flow, allowing the electrophoresis circuit to be bridged and ESI to be initiated within the same device.

The CESI-MS method is capable of generating separations of peptides with a high peak capacity, allowing the analysis of very complex samples at the proteome level. The ultra-low flow rates used by CE effectively reduce ion suppression and make it possible to detect post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and sialylation, which typically hamper efficient ionization. High-separation efficiency and sensitivity permit the detection of peptides present in trace amounts. The selectivity of CE in front-end separation further enables the characterization of intact proteins, their isoforms, cleaved fragments, and complexes.

The CESI 8000 system also allows fast and efficient separations of drugs, drug metabolites, organic acids, amino acids, low molecular weight amines, peptides, nucleic acids, and nucleosides.

"The CESI 8000 was developed in collaboration with mass spectrometry researchers who work in a variety of applications and who sought to expand the range of analytes detected while improving overall assay sensitivity," said Jeff Chapman, director of Beckman Coulter Discovery Products. "The result is a front-end separation system that generates data complementary to HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) and provides scientists with important, previously unavailable information."

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