New Generation of Ion Mobility Technology to Enhance High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Capabilities

Agilent Technologies Inc, have introduced analytical research findings using new ion mobility technology combined with a modified high-resolution iFunnel Quadrupole-Time-of-Fight LC/MS system.

The drift ion mobility system was developed in collaboration with scientists from a number of preeminent academic institutions and government laboratories. In multiple pilot studies, the prototype systems have demonstrated the ability to provide significantly greater analytical detail for complex samples compared to high-resolution mass spectrometry alone. Agilent representatives and collaborators presented their findings at the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) in June.

“While high-resolution mass spectrometry has become the analytical cornerstone for proteomics, metabolomics and other research applications requiring the analysis of highly complex samples, there has also been significant interest in the use of ultra-fast orthogonal techniques to provide added dimensions of separation,” said Dr John McLean, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University’s Laboratory for Structural Mass Spectrometry. “Optimised for use with Agilent’s LC, IM and MS technologies, this new ion mobility system will provide researchers with greater insight and clarity than ever before.”

“We have discovered that there is significant analytical utility in combining ion mobility separation technology with our high-resolution mass spectrometry systems, and we are very excited to introduce this new system to the global mass spectrometry community,” said Lester Taylor, Ph.D, Agilent’s Director of LC/MS Product Marketing. 

“In our presentation, collaborators will discuss how they are using this new technology to push their analytical research and discovery to new heights. Researchers working in a variety of industries - life science, drug development and manufacturing, food safety, forensics, environmental screening, and others - will also learn how they can maximise their analytical results.”

Agilent collaborators include Drs David Russell and Frederick Zinnel from Texas A&M University; Drs Catherine Costello and Joseph Zaia from Boston University; Drs  John McLean, Jody May and Cody Goodwin from Vanderbilt University; Drs Richard Smith and Erin Baker from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Dr Alfred Yergey and Peter Backlund from the National Institutes of Health; and Drs Smith, May, Goodwin, Costello, and Stafford from Agilent presented their findings in oral presentations for ion mobility sessions.