Molecule of the Month
September 2005
Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry is one of the most versatile and accurate tools for structural investigation of biomolecules. The dissociation of oligonucleotides in gas-phase results in multiple series of sequence-defining fragment ions, which are recorded as a product ion spectrum. Backbone cleavage is influenced by the 2'-substituent and further structural modifications. To establish mass spectrometry based sequencing techniqes, the fundamental mechanistic aspects of the gas-phase dissociation of oligonucleotides are investigated.

This work was carried out by Jan Tromp, Selina Monn and David Käch in the group of PD Dr. Stefan Schürch.