The mass spectrometry facility at the JHU Chemistry Department contains nine instruments equipped with a variety of different ionization techniques. Each is based on a different combination of mass analyzer design and ionization source and therefore has different analytical capabilities. Together, they form a suite of instruments that provides a comprehensive range of analytical organic mass spectral techniques. The six instruments are:

VG Analytical VG-70S Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometer (Remsen B13)

The VG-70S is a high resolution, double focusing magnetic sector (BE geometry) instrument with an effective mass range of 1-2100Da at full acceleration voltage and is equipped with EI and CI ionization methods. It is primarily used to provide both full scan nominal-mass spectra and accurate mass determinations of small molecules. The instrument is operated on a service basis and is located in Room B13, Remsen Hall.

VG Analytical VG-70SE Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometer (Remsen B13)

The VG-70SE is a high resolution, double focusing magnetic sector (BE geometry) instrument nearly identical to the VG70S instrument, but with an effective mass range of 1-2750Da at full acceleration voltage and is equipped with FAB ionization. It is primarily used to provide both full scan nominal-mass spectra and accurate mass determinations of delicate small molecules. The instrument is operated on a service basis and is located in Room B13, Remsen Hall.

Thermo LCQ Fleet Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (Remsen B06)

The LCQ Fleet is an ion-trap based instrument normally fitted with an electrospray (ESI) ionization source. It is primarily used for analysis of purified bio-molecules in solution such as proteins, peptides, biopolymers and oligonucleotides. This instrument is capable of performing tandem mass spec ion fragmentation analyses (MS/MS), making it extremely useful for determining both the parent masses of chemical species and for probing their structures via mass fragmentation studies. This makes this instrument extremely useful for the structural characterization of delicate bio-molecules. It is operated by users on a “self-service” basis by users following training and “checkout”. This instrument is located in Room B06, Remsen Hall.

Thermo Finnigan LCQ Duo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (Remsen B06)

The LCQ Duo is an ion-trap based instrument normally fitted with an electrospray (ESI) ionization source. It is primarily used for analysis of inorganic samples in solution. This instrument is capable of performing tandem mass spec ion fragmentation analyses (MS/MS), making it extremely useful for determining both parent ion masses and structural characterization of species. It is operated on a stand-alone basis and operation is on a “self-service” basis by users following training and “checkout”. This instrument is located in Room B06, Remsen Hall.

Shimadzu QP2020A GC-MS (Remsen B14)

This instrument is used for routine mass spectral analysis of volatile organic mixtures. It consists of an autosampler equipped capillary GC integrally connected with an EI ionization quadrupole mass analyzer (CI is available as an option). A low polarity (5% phenyl-, 95%methyl-siloxane) column is normally installed. This instrument is also operated on a “self-service” basis by users following training and “checkout”. It is located in Room B14, Remsen Hall.

Bruker AutoFlex Max MALDI-TOF/TOF (Remsen B06)

The AutoFlex Max is a state-of-the-art MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer used for qualitative analysis of high mass “delicate”  bio-molecules that cannot be analyzed by FAB or ESI-MS. It is equipped with a 355nm pulsed UV laser and can operate as a reflectron, linear or Tof/ToF instrument in both the positive and negative ionisation modes. The instrument is operated by users on a “self-service” basis following training and “checkout”, and is located in Room B14, Remsen Hall.

Waters Acquity / Xevo-G2 UPLC-MS system (Remsen B23)

The Acquity / XevoG2 system combines a high pressure (~15000 psi) UPLC system with a high mass resolution Q-ToF MS/MS instrument. It is used for more specialist separation and analysis of biomolecules. The LC includes an auto-sampler for automated multi sample analysis, the ability to blend up to four separate solvents stream, multiple column accommodations, temperature controlled column compartments and a photodiode detector for UV spectroscopic detection of components to complement the mass spectral detection. The instrument is usually supplied with Water, Methanol and Acetontrile solvents. The mass spectrometer is capable of performing high resolution MS and MS/MS analyses. Operation is on a “self-service” basis by users following training and “checkout”. This instrument is located in Room B23, Remsen Hall.

Waters Xevo-G2-S Q-ToF ESI Mass Spectrometer (Remsen B23)

The Xevo G2-S is a high mass resolution Q-ToF MS/MS instrument. It is capable of performing high resolution MS and MS/MS analyses and is most common;y used for accurate mass measurements of purified biomolecular compounds in solution, using an ESI ion source. It may also be equipped with an ASAP ion source for the analysis of solids or residues. The instrument is operated on on a “self-service” basis by the facility manager due to its complexity of operation. This instrument is located in Room B23, Remsen Hall.

Thermo Q-Exactive HF-X / Ultimate 3000 nano LC Orbitrap system (RemsenB23)

This instrument is a combination of a Thermo High Mass Resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer with a nano LC system. It is dedicated to structural analysis of proteins and the whole cell proteome and is operated in collaboration with the Fried research Group, who run most samples on users behalf.