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Tandem Mass Spectrometry definitions

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  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
    Technique using two mass spectrometers in sequence, enabling efficient protein sequencing and analysis of complex mixtures.
  • MS/MS
    Abbreviation for a method employing two mass spectrometers, providing enhanced filtering and fragmentation for protein analysis.
  • Protein Sequencing
    Process of determining the amino acid order in proteins, made more accurate and faster by tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Peptide Fragment
    Smaller pieces generated from proteins during fragmentation, crucial for mass spectrometry analysis.
  • Ionization
    Step where peptide fragments gain charge, allowing them to be manipulated and analyzed in mass spectrometers.
  • Mass Spectrum
    Graphical output showing the mass-to-charge ratios of ions, simplified and clarified by tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Collision Chamber
    Area where selected peptide fragments are bombarded with noble gases, causing further fragmentation.
  • Noble Gas
    Inert element such as helium or argon used to induce fragmentation of peptides in tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Protease
    Enzyme capable of breaking down proteins into smaller fragments, often used in the initial step of tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Mass Analysis
    Measurement of mass-to-charge ratios of peptide fragments, performed in the second mass spectrometer.
  • Protein Mixture
    Sample containing multiple proteins, which can be analyzed directly without purification using tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Filtering
    Process in the first mass spectrometer that selects specific ions or fragments for further analysis.
  • Purified Protein
    Protein isolated from other components, serving as starting material for tandem mass spectrometry.
  • Peak
    Signal in a mass spectrum representing a specific ion, with tandem mass spectrometry reducing their number for clarity.
  • Gold Standard
    Highest quality benchmark for protein sequencing, attributed to tandem mass spectrometry due to its precision and efficiency.