Services
Acknowledgement
Please acknowledge the Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facilityin publications and talks. It is a requirement of funding agencies and CRUCIAL FOR FUTURE FUNDING.
An RRID is a unique reference tag associated with a specific research resource. Robust metrics tracked by an RRID in publications enable the metrics needed for requesting new instrument funding and promotes meticulous rigor and reproducibility of research results.
We accept samples from the University of Colorado systems, Federal Institutes, Non-profit organizations, and Cooperates.
If you wish to submit samples to the mass spectrometry laboratory for analysis, please follow the guidelines listed on our Samples section below.
We are always available to discuss the capabilities of the laboratory, provide advice on what preparative and analytical methods to use, and discuss the interpretation of results. We are here to help and are happy to do so. Here is a shortlist of the services we routinelyÌýprovide.
Protein Chemistry
- Intact protein molecular weight estimation
- Sample preparation for LC-MS/MS analysis (In-solution digestion, in-gel digestion, on-beads digestion of samples from immunoprecipitation)
- Identification of protein from SDS-PAGE or solution (e.g. purified protein)
- Affinity-purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS, e.g. immuno-precipitated samples)
- Quantitative proteomics (e.g. Label-Free, SILAC, TMT-based quantification)
- Phosphoproteomics
- Hydrogen/Deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS)
Small Molecules
- High-resolution mass estimation (errors are mostly 5 ppm or under) on Synapt G2 HDMS
- Complex sample analysis using GC-MS and/or LC-MS
Any questions you may have regarding sample preparation, data interpretation, or method of analysis are welcome.Ìý We are happy to help you during the experimental design of your project in order to maximize the information resulting from our MS analysis.
Samples
Mass spectrometers have low detection limits; however, the ionization of analytes may be suppressed by contaminants (including common buffer salts and detergents) present in samples. Many commonly used reagents, especially for biological samples, have poor compatibility with mass spectrometric ionization techniques. Additionally, the mass spectrometer can be contaminated or clogged if crude samples containing non-volatile components (e.g. salts) are introduced into the instrument.
Consequently, sample preparation is a critical component of mass spectrometric analysis and directly relates to the quality of data the instruments can realize.
Any questions you may have regarding sample preparation, data interpretation, or method of analysis are welcome, especially if the amount of sample is limited or you require special sample handling.
If you wish to submit samples to the mass spectrometry laboratory for analysis, please follow the guidelines for each mass spectrometry technique listed below.
- In all cases, submit your sample in a vial clearly labeled with a sample identification code (taping an unlabeled container to the sample submission form does not constitute sufficient labeling), and fill out a sample submission form. Submit your samples in screw-capped vials (caps preferably lined with TFE) as neat liquids or dry solids. On the sample submission form, please indicate suggested solvent(s) for your compound for LC/MS and ESI analyses.
- Intact protein and peptide samples for molecular weight and/or purity determinations should be submitted as lyophilized solids or as aqueous solutions in vials. In either case composition of the sample with regard to the anticipated amount of analyte, as well as salts, buffers, and detergents MUST BE NOTED.
- Any special safety or sample handling precautions the operator should take with your sample should be indicated on the sample submission form.
- Please note that the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory is NOT equipped to handle radioactive samples.
Any questions you may have regarding sample preparation, data interpretation, or method of analysis are welcome.Ìý We are happy to help you during the experimental design of your project in order to maximize the information resulting from our MS analysis.
Make Reservation
For any users whoÌýhave been trainedÌýon sample preparation and instrument usage, reservations can be made to allow necessary instrument time.Ìý Currently, we are accepting online reservations for the following instruments only:
- Thermo ISQ GCMS
- Shimadzu MALDI-TOF/TOF
- Waters Cyclic IMS
- Waters HDX nanoUPLC
To access the reservation website using your Identikey + CU password.