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Overview

The SolariX XR 7T FT-ICR mass spectrometer is an ultra-high resolution instrument, which enables a wide array of experiments including: native mass spectrometry of large proteins and protein complexes, and 2D/3D analysis of thin tissue sections (MALDI imaging). The ultra-high resolution, mass accuracy, and sensetivity allow accurate determination of large proteins/protein complexes, lipids, metabolites, proteins in biological tissues, or identification of low abundant species in a complex mixture.

Unfortunately the ESI source on the instrument is not functioning. For the foreseeable future this instrument is MALDI only. 

Features

• • • MALDI Imaging
    • Ultra-high mass resolution (resolving power 1,000,000 @ m/z 400)
    • Sub-ppm mass accuracy
    • Sensitivity
      • ESI: μM to nM
      • MALDI: pmol/mg tissue
    • Multiple ionisation sources
      • ESI/nanoESI
      • MALDI/MALDI imaging

Software

Analysis for SolariX data is supported by the following Bruker software:

• DataAnalysis
• BioTools
• SequenceEditor
• FlexImaging
• SCiLs Lab 2D

Access to the above software is available on the SolariX Virtual Machine.

Support

Email Martin Middleditch for all inquiries related to the SolariX FT-ICR MS.  Contact Gus Grey for MALDI Imaging inquiries.

Considerations

• The SolariX is mainly used for non-standard or exploratory mass spectrometry experiments. Other instruments are more suitable for high volume or quantitative analysis.
• Exact quantification is not straightforward and relative abundances are generally reported; however it can be done.
• The instrument is not housed in a PC1 area and only non-hazardous samples are allowed to be transported to and analyzed in the laboratory.
• Sample Preparation
  • ESI
    • Standard sample conditions for protein analyses is uM protein conc. in 100 mM ammonium acetate or ammonium bicarbonate.
    • Absolutely no salts (Na,K,Mg,Ca, etc) or small molecule additives (glycerol, TCEP, urea, etc.) in first instance.
  • MALDI
    • The presence of salts in buffers containing analytes should be avoided.
    • For imaging analysis, fresh frozen tissue preferred, although some techniques for analysis of fixed/FFPE sections. Sections should be 10-20 μm thick.

Limitations

• There is no liquid chromatography or auto sampler associated with this instrument.
• Protein digests, very dirty samples, and large sample numbers are best analyzed on other instruments.
• The mass range is limited to ~m/z 10,000, which restricts the applicability to MALDI protein analyses.
• MALDI imaging spatial resolution limited to 20 μm, and only for abundant signals. Imaging is not suitable for very low abundance protein analysis, membrane proteins/channels/transporters, or analysis of intact proteins larger than ~10 kDa.