Matrix free Laser Desorption and Ionization Substrates for Mass Spectroscopy

Project Summary This multi phase SBIR project targets an important problem in life science increasing resolution and throughput of mass spectroscopy MS using inexpensive nanostructures substrates for matrix free laser desorption and ionization LDI Soft ionization techniques for MS such matrix assisted LDI MALDI have become among the most important tools in applications from proteomics and genomics to disease studies drug discovery and increasingly clinical diagnostics However there are significant limitations in MALDI including sample preparation time low molecular weight interferences from the matrix lack of reproducibility due to non uniform distribution of analyte within the matrix and perhaps most importantly insufficient sensitivity for many key uses such as detection of disease markers Although recent developments on surface assisted LDI SALDI from nanostructured surfaces such as semiconductor nanoposts made it possible to lionize samples without a matrix few commercial SALDI products have not fully met the market needs largely due to extreme cost manufacturing difficulties and short shelf life Therefore reliable low cost substrates for matrix free LDI that can enable efficient reproducible and interference free ionization of different molecules for MS are needed InRedox proposes to address this need by developing a novel low cost yet highly effective substrate for surface assisted LDI based on localized sites from nanostructured ceramics incorporating materials that enhance laser adsorption and analyte ionization The main objective of the Phase I is to demonstrate feasibility of the proposed approach by fabricating prototypes of such substrates and confirming that they could significantly exceeds the performance and cost metrics of conventional MALDI and SALDI substrates If the project aims are achieved and proposed matrix free LDI substrates are successfully developed the resulting products will save time reduce detection limits increase resolution and improve reproducibility and consistency of data making a significant impact on the fields of cell biology proteomics generics disease studies clinical diagnostics personalized therapy drug discovery and toxicology as well as in related fields of biotechnology agriculture forensics environmental testing etc Project Narrative The proposed project targeting the development of novel substrates for ionizing samples for mass spectrometry addresses a significant need in proteomics genetics neurobiology biotechnology disease research toxicology and pharmaceutical industries reproducible and rapid analysis of complex mixtures of molecules in bio and health related research and clinical diagnostics The proposed low cost yet high performance substrates aim to support analysis with high sensitivity and resolution required for detection of disease markets in personalized cancer treatment