Direct coupling of polymer-based microchip electrophoresis to online MALDI-MS using a rotating ball inlet

Electrophoresis. 2005 Dec;26(24):4703-10. doi: 10.1002/elps.200500317.

Abstract

We report on the coupling of a polymer-based microfluidic chip to a MALDI-TOF MS using a rotating ball interface. The microfluidic chips were fabricated by micromilling a mold insert into a brass plate, which was then used for replicating polymer microparts via hot embossing. Assembly of the chip was accomplished by thermally annealing a cover slip to the embossed substrate to enclose the channels. The linear separation channel was 50 microm wide, 100 microm deep, and possessed an 8 cm effective length separation channel with a double-T injector (V(inj) = 10 nL). The exit of the separation channel was machined to allow direct contact deposition of effluent onto a specially constructed rotating ball inlet to the mass spectrometer. Matrix addition was accomplished in-line on the surface of the ball. The coupling utilized the ball as the cathode transfer electrode to transport sample into the vacuum for desorption with a 355 nm Nd:YAG laser and analyzed on a TOF mass spectrometer. The ball was cleaned online after every rotation. The ability to couple poly(methylmethacrylate) microchip electrophoresis devices for the separation of peptides and peptide fragments produced from a protein digest with subsequent online MALDI MS detection was demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bombesin / isolation & purification
  • Bradykinin / isolation & purification
  • Cytochromes c / chemistry
  • Electrophoresis, Microchip / instrumentation
  • Electrophoresis, Microchip / methods*
  • Peptide Fragments / isolation & purification
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*
  • Substance P / isolation & purification
  • Trypsin / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Substance P
  • Cytochromes c
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate
  • Trypsin
  • Bombesin
  • Bradykinin