40-year-old phasing problem solved with computation

A 40-year-old phasing problem has been solved by scientists at the University of Warwick who have developed a computation which simultaneously doubles the resolution, sensitivity and mass accuracy of Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry (FT-MS).

The findings have been published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, and could potentially lead to a significant reduction in laboratory costs. The breakthrough can be used in all  FT-MS including FT-ICR, Orbitrap and FT-TOF instruments. It will also have applications in proteomics, petroleum analysis, metabolomics and pharmaceutical analysis among other fields.

Professor Peter O’Connor, who co-developed the method, said: “We have vastly improved the quality of data available at no extra cost.”

“FTMS is used extensively in the fields of pharmaceuticals, healthcare, industry, natural resources and environmental management so this breakthrough represents a real step towards improving research across the board in these areas.”

Their study is entitled "Absorption-Mode: The Next Generation of Fourier Transform Mass Spectra", and has been published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. It is co-authored by Professor O’Connor, Yulin Qi, Mark Barrow and Huilin Li from the University of Warwick.

Posted by Neil Clark