Mass Spectrometers in IMSERC
Sciex QTrap 6500+

This instrument is configured for UPLC and nanoLC. These two modes of operations will share a calendar. The mass spectrometer is capable of performing all standard scans of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, in addition to some unique scans by using the linear ion trap scan modes. This system is best suited for trace level quantitation of small to moderate size molecules. Avialable sources are ESI, APCI, and nanoESI. The UPLC system is capable of operating in both HPLC and UPLC modes. Because of the nature of quantitative analysises, reservation have to be on a per day basis.
Specifications
- Triple Quadrupole and Linear Ion Trap Mass Analyzers in the System
- Examples of available scans are Q1 MS, Product Ion, Precursor Ion, Neutral Loss and Gain, MRM, MRM3, and ER Enhanced Resolution.
- Ionization Sources - ESI, APCI, and nanoESI
- Mass Range up to 2,000 Da
- UPLC and nanoLC Capable
- High-Throughput Capable
Agilent 6545 Q-TOF LC/MS

This is a high-resolution accurate mass instrument coupled to a UHPLC system (Agilent 1290 Infinity II). The UHPLC contains a temperature-controlled multi-column compartment and a binary pump capable of pressure ratings up to 1300 bar. This enables the use of UHPLC-grade columns to provide fast and highly reproducible separation. Furthermore, this LC-MS is best suited for accurate mass analysis or untargeted/discovery analysis such as lipidomics which requires liquid chromatography and tandem MS using collision-induced dissociation. The UHPLC system is set up for analyzing compounds soluble in ESI friendly solvents (Water, Methanol, Acetonitrile, and Isopranol) only.
Specifications
- 6-Column Compartment for quick method swapping
- Quadrupole with a quad isolation resolution of 1.3 Da
- ESI (Default set up) and APCI-capable
- Data Acquisition modes: MS-Only, Data Dependent Acquisition (Auto MS/MS) and Targeted MS/MS
- Mass Accuracy better than 2 mDa
Bruker RapiFlex Tissue Typer

This is our MALDI-ToF instrument (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization – time of flight) for open access use and tissue imaging. The instrument uses Fleximaging software and is ideal for biopolymers (proteins, RNA, DNA, oligosaccharides), organometallic salts, and many synthetic polymers. It works up to 20 times faster than traditional ToF systems yielding higher throughput and data turn around. It offers in-depth characterization and imaging of tissue an cell cultures.
Specifications
- Smartbeam 3D laser
- Acquisition of 50 true square pixel / second
- Laser repetition rate 10 kHz
- Three-stage reflector for maximum resolution
Bruker Impact-II

This instrument is dedicated to accurate mass measurements by flow injection or liquid chromatography introduction modes, either in the MS or MSMS modes. The mass spectrometer has a resolving power of 65,000 and the LC pumps are cabable of working against 1,000 bars of back pressure. Both LC and UPLC type separations are possible. The mass spectrometer is configured with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source as its default source. Other sources, APPI, APCI, and a nanoESI coupled to a nanoLC are also available under engineering control. The mass spectrometer can scan both in positive and negative ion modes. Both qualitative and quantitative work flows are available. Typical uses of the system are accurate mass measurement of small molecules, MW identification of biopolymers (protein, peptides, oligos), including mixed mode macromolecules, measrement of mass differences between native and modified macromolecules, targeted metabolite identification, structure elucidation, etc. This instrument is set up for analyzing compounds soluble in ESI friendly solvents (Water, Methanol, and Acetonitrile) only.
Specifications
- Mass Range 20 - 40,000 m/z
- Quadrupole isolation up to 3,000 m/z
- Mass Acc better than 2 mDa
- Resolving Power 65,000 observed
- SmartFormula 3D Capable
Bruker AmaZon-X

This instrument is dedicated to LCMS and LCMSMS type of experiments. The mass spectrometer is configured with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source and can operate in both negative and positive ionization mode. In addition, this instrument is capable of performing MSn fragmentation, quantitation experiments, and protein MW deconvolution by using MaxEnt deconvolution software. This instrument is set up for analyzing compounds soluble in ESI friendly solvents (Water, Methanol, and Acetonitrile) with a variety of additives to enable reverse phase HPLC separations. The LC system is an Agilent 1200 Series. The AmaZon X is especially useful for quantitative workflows and determining the molecular weights of proteins and polynucleotides up to a molecular weight of about 50 kDa using the MaxEnt software.
Specifications
- Quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer
- Scan speeds of up to 52,000 u/sec
- Ionization Sources - ESI only
- Mass Range up to 3,000 Da, or 6,000 Da in Extended Mass Range Mode
Bruker AmaZon-SL

This instrument is nearly identical to AmaZon-X but dedicated to molecular weight and purity analysis by flow injection (no LC). The mass spectrometer is configured with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source and can operate in both negative and positive ionization mode. One can analyze compounds that have an improved solubility in less polar solvents (e.g. isopropanol, methylene chloride). MSn is also available for structural elucidation experiments. The solvent delivery is made by an Agilent 1100 quad pump system.
Specifications
- Quadrupole ion trap mass analyzer
- Scan speeds of up to 32,000 u/sec
- Ionization Sources - ESI only
- Mass Range up to 2,200 Da, or 4,000 Da in Extended Mass Range Mode
Agilent GCMSD-Headspace

This is a single stage quadrapole GC mass spectrometer that is fitted with a Headspace Module. Unknown compounds in a mixture can be identified using the NIST library of spectra. This instrument is ideal for quantitating known compounds in complex mixtures. The mass range is limited to 800 Daltons.
Specifications
- Quadrupole Mass Analyzer
- Both solid and liquid samples can be analyzed
- Ionization Sources - Electron Impact
- Mass Range up to 800 Da
- Column FFAP for polar molecules; non-polar molecules elute early
GCMSD-DB5

This is a single quadrapole GC mass spectrometer with a DB5 column for non-polar molecules. Unknown compounds in a mixture can be identified using the NIST library of spectra. This instrument is ideal for quantitating known compounds in complex mixtures. The mass range is limited to 800 Daltons.
Specifications
- Quadrupole Mass Analyzer
- Column DB5, maximum temperature 340 oC
- Ionization Sources - EI
- Mass Range up to 800 Da
Aqueous GPC
This instrument is dedicated to Aqueous Gel Permeation Chromatography, also known as Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC). GPC/SEC is a type of high performance liquid chromatography (LC) that separates molecules on the basis of their size, hence ‘size exclusion.’ GPC/SEC is used to determine the molecular weight distributions of polymers.
Specifications
- Agilent 1200 HPLC: Uses Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) as mobile phase and PSS Suprema column, and Variable Wavelength UV absorbance detector.
- Wyatt DAWN HELEOS II: A multi-angle static light scattering (MALS) detector. The molar mass and root mean square radius of the solute are determined by measuring the intensity of the scattered light provided that the refractive index increment (dn/dc) of the solute/solvent system is known.
- Wyatt Optilab T-rEx: A refractometer for measuring the absolute refractive index and its increment.The system separates particles with MW range from 1k g/mol to 450k g/mol according to size and characterizes individually by static light scattering, refractive index and absorbance.
Organic GPC
This instrument is dedicated to Organic Gel Permeation Chromatography. GPC is a type of high performance liquid chromatography (LC) that separates molecules on the basis of their size, hence ‘size exclusion.’ GPC/SEC is used to determine the molecular weight distributions of polymers.
Specifications
- Agilent 1200 HPLC: Uses Tetrahydrofuran as mobile phase and double GPC column PolyPore from Varian.
- Wyatt DAWN HELEOS II: A multi-angle static light scattering (MALS) detector. The molar mass and root mean square radius of the solute are determined by measuring the intensity of the scattered light - provided that the refractive index increment (dn/dc) of the solute/solvent system is known.
- Wyatt Optilab T-rEx: A refractometer for measuring the absolute refractive index and its increment.The system separates particles with MW range from 1k g/mol to 2000k g/mol according to size and characterizes individually by static light scattering, refractive index and viscosity.