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Incorporating Biological Mass Spectrometry Into Undergraduate Teaching Labs, Part 1: Identifying Proteins Based on Molecular Mass
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Abstract
Biological mass spectrometry is an important analytical technique in drug discovery, proteomics, and research at the biology–chemistry interface. Currently, few hands-on opportunities exist for undergraduate students to learn about this technique. With the 2002 Nobel Prize being awarded, in part, for the development of biological mass spectrometry, more academic institutions will hopefully incorporate these techniques into their curricula. We present the first in a series of experiments designed to introduce students to the analysis of biological molecules using mass spectrometry. In this experiment, students analyze a medium-sized protein using electrospray ionization and identify it based on molecular weight. Since electrospray ionization produces multiply charged ions and since isotopic distributions cannot be easily observed for highly charged ions, a mathematical treatment of sequentially charged ions is used to determine the charge state on the ion signals and thus calculate the molecular weight. Averages of several differently-charged ion signals from the same analyte are used to obtain an average molecular weight. We have included several representative protein spectra, suitable for classroom use, in the Supplemental Material.
Keywords (Audience):
Upper-Division UndergraduateKeywords (Domain):
Analytical ChemistryKeywords (Pedagogy):
Hands-On Learning / ManipulativesKeywords (Subject):
Bioanalytical ChemistryCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Using the Mini-Session Course Format To Train Students in the Practical Aspects of Modern Mass Spectrometry
Dale A. Rosado, Jr., Tina S. Masterson, and Douglas S. MastersonJournal of Chemical Education2011 88 (2), 178-183Using the Mini-Session Course Format To Train Students in the Practical Aspects of Modern Mass Spectrometry
Dale A. Rosado, Jr., Tina S. Masterson, and Douglas S. MastersonJournal of Chemical Education2011 88 (2), 178-183Mass spectrometry (MS) has been gaining in popularity in recent years owing in large part to the development of soft-ionization techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). These soft-ionization ...

Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Acetaminophen, Acetylsalicylic Acid, and Caffeine in Commercial Analgesic Tablets by LC−MS
Christopher J. Fenk, Nicole M. Hickman and Melissa A. Fincke, Douglas H. Motry, Barry LavineJournal of Chemical Education2010 87 (8), 838-841Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Acetaminophen, Acetylsalicylic Acid, and Caffeine in Commercial Analgesic Tablets by LC−MS
Christopher J. Fenk, Nicole M. Hickman and Melissa A. Fincke, Douglas H. Motry, Barry LavineJournal of Chemical Education2010 87 (8), 838-841An undergraduate LC−MS experiment is described for the identification and quantitative determination of acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, and caffeine in commercial analgesic tablets. This inquiry-based experimental procedure requires minimal sample ...

Incorporating Biological Mass Spectrometry into Undergraduate Teaching Labs, Part 2: Peptide Identification via Molecular Mass Determination
Isaac J. Arnquist and Douglas J. BeussmanJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (3), 382Incorporating Biological Mass Spectrometry into Undergraduate Teaching Labs, Part 2: Peptide Identification via Molecular Mass Determination
Isaac J. Arnquist and Douglas J. BeussmanJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (3), 382Mass spectrometry has become a routine analytical tool in the undergraduate curriculum in the form of GC–MS. While relatively few undergraduate programs have incorporated biological mass spectrometry into their programs, the importance of these techniques,...
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History
- Received: August 03, 2009
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