Services

We are a full-service mass spectrometry facility that provides fee-for-service analysis for a wide variety of applications.  In addition we provide training and use of instruments on a Open Access basis.

Fee-for-Service Analysis

We  routinely perform a variety of mass spectrometry based measurements including thoese for larger biomolecules.  Quantitation of of small molecules can be done using selected ion monitoring (SIM) on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer or multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) on a triple quad mass spectrometer using LC-MS/MS.  These two approaches with their large linear dynamic range are best for such measurements.  The later approach can be used for targeted metabolomics experiments where relative quantification can be done on specific metabolites of interest from complex samples.  LC-MS based profiling experiments such as those performed in untargeted metabolomics and global metabolite profiling can also be performed.   We can assist and train you on analyzing your data for these very specific experiments where processing your data may include alignment of chromatograms, integration of the same m/z, retention time signals for replicates and statistical analysis.  Please contact us at (617) 384-9585 to discuss your specific analysis needs.

Open Access

While many instruments like the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and the high resolution q-TOF are reserved for providing a service to the community, the facility does provides access to an HPLC and three mass spectrometers on an "open access" basis.  All open access users have to be trained, get a RC account and login via SPINAL prior to using the instruments.  The following instruments are available for this purpose:

• LC-MS on an Agilent ESI-TOF MS (high resolution, good for accurate or nominal mass data)
• Waters GC/MS using 70 eV EI
• Waters MALDI TOF mass spectrometer (reflectron and linear modes)
• Agilent 1200 HPLC with a Diode Array Detector (DAD)