A significant increase in the mass resolving power of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers broadly utilized for ion tissue imaging and proteomics studies will have a profound impact on the entire analytical field of characterization of proteins, lipids, and metabolites. A 4-fold increase in the resolving power will create a unique analytical tool specifically applicable to the MS-based analysis of trace amounts of chemical and biological substances. We plan to build a platform combining the multi-electrode ICR cell and novel signal amplification system with the goal to attain the most efficient usage of the FTICR systems with less expensive magnets thus making these instruments the top research tools in biological mass spectrometry. Taking into account an availability of moderate-field FTICR systems in the laboratories, this will enable a wider use of these systems in the variety of the MS based analytical fields.
Analytical platform utilizing a modified mass analyzer will be used in high resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of biological molecules. The platform has the potential to significantly improve mass resolution and mass accuracy in biological analyses compared to that achieved using commercial systems. We plan to develop a novel ion detector operating at moderate magnetic fields that is able to provide a high level of identification accuracy in mass analysis comparable to that attained only in ultra-high magnetic fields. A use of the novel detector has the potential to drastically improve mass spectrometry based tissue imaging and can lead to better characterization of proteins and metabolites.
