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Protein Analysis by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry


Guidelines for Sample Preparation

General sample handling  

To minimize protein losses from adsorption to walls of tubes, use polypropylene tubes or siliconized polypropylene tubes. Avoid polystyrene (clear plastic) and glass.
Use freshly prepared, high purity reagents and water. Contaminants from buffers, detergents, urea, guanidine can prevent a good mass spectrometry result.

Sample submission

  • In solution, as concentrated as possible, volume 10-20 ul
  • Minimum Concentration 10 pmol/microliter
  • Use 200ul PCR-style eppendorf tubes
The sample should NOT contain any
Azide
Brij 35 Tris, CHAPS, Triton X - 100
DMSO Tween, SDA, Glycerol
DMF,
Tris, Phosphate and salts > 100mM
The following components are ACCEPTABLE
Acetic or formic acid
Acetonitrile, ethanol
Methanol
Sodium chloride 10 mM


Peptide Synthesis and Purification | Protein Sequence Analysis 
Mass Spectrometry | 2D Gel Electrophoresis


Protein Sciences Facility
Peter Yau, Ph.D - Director
315 Noyes Laboratory, 505 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-4695     FAX: (217) 244-1142      
Email: proteinsciences@uiuc.edu

Last edited: 04 Nov 2004