INFRARED MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION/IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF MACROMOLECULES

摘要

Mixtures containing a biological macromolecule, such as a nucleic acid molecule or a polypeptide, and a liquid matrix, which absorbs infrared (IR) radiation, are provided. These mixtures are useful for analysis of the biological macromolecule by IR matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (IR-MALDI) mass spectrometry. Also provided are processes for analyzing a biological macromolecule using IR-MALDI mass spectrometry. For example, processes for detecting the presence or identity of a biological macromolecule in a sample, or for sequencing a biological macromolecule are provided.