Mass Spectrometry for the Novice

With usage of mass spectrometry continually expanding, an increasing number of scientists, technicians, students, and physicians are coming into contact with this valuable technique. Mass spectrometry has many uses, both qualitative and quantitative, from analyzing simple gases to environmental contaminants, pharmaceuticals, and complex biopolymers. The extraordinary versatility can make mass spectrometers daunting to novices. Consequently, new users would benefit greatly from an understanding of the basic concepts as well as the processes that occur in these instruments. Mass Spectrometry for the Novice provides exactly that, with detailed, straightforward descriptions and clear illustrations of principles of operations and techniques. The book begins with an overview that includes essential definitions and then provides information on the components of and the strategies used in the most common instruments. The authors discuss the methodologies available, classes of compounds analyzed, and the types of data that can be generated. A group of representative applications from published articles is summarized, demonstrating the diversity of mass spectrometry. The authors also condense the essentials of the topic into one invaluable chapter that provides a set of concise take-home messages on all aspects of mass spectrometry. The final section provides a collection of resources including books, reviews, and useful websites. Using simple language, new color figures, clever cartoons, and assuming no prior knowledge, this book provides a readily understandable entrée to mass spectrometry. Downloadable resources with selected figures and cartoons is included.

John Greaves is director of the Mass Spectrometry Facility in the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine. He received his BSc in zoology and genetics from Leeds University in 1975 and a PhD, on the pharmacology of the antimalarial Primaqiune, from Liverpool University/Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 1979. On moving to the United States, he spent five years at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and seven years at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, where he was involved with cancer and environmental research, respectively. He moved to the University of California, Irvine in 1992 where he has been particularly interested in the use of open access mass spectrometry to enable scientists lacking experience in the technique facilitate their research by obtaining mass spectrometric data rapidly, on a 24/7 basis. He has more than 80 publications. John Roboz is a professor in the Department of Medicine (Div. Hematology/Medical Oncology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. He holds a BS degree (1955) from Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary, and MS (1960) and PhD (1962) degrees in physical chemistry from New York University. In 1969, he joined the Mount Sinai School of Medicine as an associate professor and became a professor in 1980. His research interests have been the development of mass spectrometric techniques for new antineoplastic agents and their application in collaborative studies with basic scientists and clinicians. Dr. Roboz has more than 135 publications. His first book, Introduction to Mass Spectrometry: Instrumentation and Techniques (Wiley, 1968) was reprinted in 2000 by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry in the Classic Works in Mass Spectrometry series. His second book, in 2002, Mass Spectrometry in Cancer Research (CRC Press), won a commendation award from the British Medical Association.

An Overview. A Brief History. Definitions Concerning Instruments, Mass, m/z, and Ions. Components of Instrument and Their Functions. Definitions Concerning Instrument Performance. Definitions Concerning Applications. Information from Mass Spectra. Diversity and Scope of Applications. Instrumentation. Sample Introduction. Ion Sources and Methods of Ionization. Mass Analyzers. Ion Current Detectors. Vacuum Systems. Data Systems. Methodologies and Strategies. Measures of Instrument Performance. Interpretation of Mass Spectra. Analytical Techniques and Strategies. Omics. Biopolymers. Imaging Mass Spectrometry. Bioinformatics. Buying a Mass Spectrometer. Examples from Representative Publications. An Open-Access Mass Spectrometry Facility. Environmental: Organochlorines in Fish. Environmental: Pharmaceuticals in Surface and Wastewaters. Pharmacology: Lipitor Metabolism. New Techniques: Paper Spray of Pharmaceuticals. Petroleomics: Crude Oil Characterization . Metabolomics: Disease Markers for a Tropical Disease. Metabolomics: Chemical Defense. Lipidomics: Coronary Artery Disease. Proteomics: Protein Identification in a Painting. Proteomics: Protein Identification and Metastasis. Proteomics: Noncovalent Interactions. Tissue Imaging. The Absolute Essentials. General. Instrument Components. Performance Parameters. Techniques and Strategies. Resources. Books, Journals, Review Articles, Classical Publications . Major Instrument Manufacturers. Mass Spectrometry Societies, Blogs, and Discussion Groups. The Mass Spectrometrist and the Internet.