Loma Linda University Mass Spectrometry Facility
Core Summary
The state-of-the-art Mass Spectrometry core facility, sponsored and maintained by the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, opened in 2007. This facility’s primary goal is to serve the needs of investigators at Loma Linda University, including the Loma Linda University Medical Center and the Pettis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in the analysis of proteins, peptides and other macromolecules by mass spectrometry. While its first priority is to serve the Loma Linda research community, this facility is also available to researchers from outside Loma Linda University.
Personnel/Contact Information:
Dr. Kangling Zhang
Role: Director
Telephone: 909-558-1000 ext. 87691
FAX: 909-558-4887
Email: kzhang@llu.edu
Dr. Jonathan Neidigh
Role: Faculty
Telephone: 909-558-1000 ext. 48559
FAX: 909-558-4887
Email: jneidigh@llu.edu
Dr. Lawrence Sandberg
Role: Research Professor
Telephone: 909-558-1000 ext. 83575
FAX: 909-558-4887
Email: lsandberg@llu.edu
Phil Kim
Role: Technician
Telephone: 909-558-1000 ext. 41004
FAX: 909-558-4887
Email: philkim@llu.edu
Facilities and Equipment:
Location of Core: Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, Mortensen Hall Room 230, Loma Linda, CA 92350
Major Equipment:
LTQ-Orbitrap Velos with ETD
The LTQ-Orbitrap-Velos-ETD represents the latest generation of high resolution mass spectrometers, possesses different ion fragmentation capabilities including CID, PQD, ETD, and HCD. It can handle a variety of applications including identification and quantification of protein post-translational modifications, identification/quantification of proteins for biomarker identification or protein pathway analysis using iTRAQ or TMT quantitative proteomics approaches, as well as top-down analysis of intact proteins. The instrument typically is typically operated by a dedicated facility staff.
GC/MS with electron impact ionization (EI), chemical ionization (CI)
The Agilent GC-MSD series is a single quadruple mass spectrometer with unit resolution. This instrument is dedicated to separation (by GC), identification (by MS) and quantification (by SIM scan mode) of non-polar small organic mixtures. Polar compounds are derivatized with TMS or other types of derivatization reagents before introduction to the GCMS system.
QQQ
The Agilent triple quadruple mass spectrometer is linked with an Agilent 1200 HPLC and PAL autosampler housing six 96-well plates. It has the capability of performing electrospray (ESI in both positive and negative mode) mass analysis and has the features of product-ion scan, precursor-ion scan, selective-ion scan (SIM) and multiple-ion-scan (MRM). The MRM mode is very specific and highly sensitive for quantification of polar small organic molecules or peptides. For small molecules, the sensitivity (LOD) is about 1 pico-gram on a HPLC column).
QTOF-API-US
The Waters Q-TOF linked with Waters capillary HPLC is applied to the identification of proteins from in-gel or in-solution digests.
LCQ
The LCQ Deca XP is used complementarily for QTOF instrument for protein identification.
Services:
- Protein Identification from SDS-PAGE gel bands/spots
- Differential protein expression analysis (biomarker identification)
- Protein post-translation modification analyses
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of small molecules by LC/MS and GC/MS
- phosphorylation
- glycosylation
Policies:
1. The LLU Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (LLUMSCF) provides technical service to and collaborative research with investigators of the LLU research community. Principal investigators interested in using the services of the facility should first consult with the Director on project needs/design, sample preparation and pricing information. A sample submission form should accompany each request for sample analysis.
2. All submitted samples will analyzed by facility personnel. If a PI expects to have extensive analysis needs such as quantification of small molecules by triple-quadrupole or GC/MS, a dedicated person from the PI’s group will be trained to use the assigned instrument.
3. Highly challenging projects such as differential protein expression analysis (biomarker identification) and protein post-translational (PTMs) identification will require a collaborative agreement between the PI and the LLUMSCF Director. With this collaboration, the LLUMSCF will be responsible for sample analysis and data interpretation. In addition, the Director and/or supervising research associate/technician from LLUMSCF will be coauthors on reports/manuscripts from the project. Pricing information (generally reduced by 40%) will be negotiated with the LLUMSCF Director.
Oversight Committee:
Penny Duerksen-Hughes, Ph.D.
Kangling Zhang, Ph.D.
Jonathan Neidigh, Ph.D.
Hansel Fletcher, Ph.D.
Subburaman Mohan, Ph.D.
Alice Wongworawat, MBA