A research team from Brown University has developed a breakthrough method for transferring ions for mass spectrometry that significantly reduces sample loss. The new technique involves a nanopore ion source with a tiny capillary opening 1,000 times smaller than a human hair, allowing ions dissolved in water to be directly transferred into the vacuum of a mass spectrometer, eliminating the need for droplet sprays. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize mass spectrometry technology by improving accuracy, sensitivity, and efficiency of analysis.
The Brown team spent a decade custom designing their own mass spectrometer to house the unique ion source in a vacuum, with trial and error leading to successful demonstrations matching detections done using traditional methods but with minimal sample loss. The researchers believe their method can significantly improve proteomic analyses by enabling more sensitive analyses, such as sequencing protein molecules one amino acid at a time.
The analysis, published in Nature Communications, serves as a proof of concept for the nanopore ion transfer method. The team, which includes former Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers, aims to further develop their technique to enhance the workflow of proteomic analyses and benefit researchers in the field. The team’s work has led to patents and patent applications licensed to Oxford Nanopore Technologies, showcasing the commercial potential of their innovation.
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