ultrafleXtreme: Redefining MALDI Mass Spectrometry Performance

Ralf Schäfer, Bruker Daltonics Inc.

The new ultrafleXtreme™ exceeds all current expectations of MALDI-TOF/TOF technology: A proprietary kHz smartbeam-II™ MALDI laser integrated with a novel FlashDetector™ and re-engineerd electronics makes it the only MALDI-TOF/TOF on the market to provide kHz acquisition in MS and MS-MS modes. It generates a new level of data quality in applications such as LC-MALDI proteomics, high resolution tissue imaging based biomarker discovery or Top-Down Sequencing.

Figure 1

Advanced electronic engineering and a unique FlashDetector combined with 4 GHz digitization rate at full spectra length and "panoramic" PAN™ technology provide the highest resolving power >40,000 across the peptide mass range (Figure 1) and beyond (Figure 2). This leads directly to increased numbers of identified proteins in LC-MALDI applications at improved specificity.

Figure 2

The Ultimate Tissue Imaging Technology

The proprietary smartbeam-II laser with 1000 Hz repetition rate was specifically developed for the ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF. The software allows operation from 1 to 1000 Hz repetition frequency in MS as well as in MS-MS mode. Therefore, kHz data acquisition of high resolution tissue protein images and LC-MALDI analysis in Biomarker workflows are both perfectly sustained on the ultrafleXtreme. Compared to former instruments a full tissue analysis nowadays can be performed within the same data acquisition time (Figure 3).

Figure 3

In addition, the optimized smartbeam-II laser delivers constant high output energy, regardless of the selected repetition frequency across long acquisition runs. This is indispensable for a series of MALDI imaging runs or LC-MALDI runs.

A computer-controlled variable laser focus diameter of 10–100 μm allows new level spatial resolution — essential for emerging applications like high resolution MALDI tissue imaging. Achieve incredible spatial resolution with no loss of protein signal intensity.

MALDI Perpetual™ Ion Source With Laser-Cleaning in Minutes

Entirely new design for the removal of sample and matrix debris. Its push-button, laser-cleaning concept is indispensible for kHz operation — and it works for all MALDI matrices. The self-cleaning ion optics is ready for the next run within a few min.

Market-Leading Technology

The combination of technologies implemented results in unmatched performance and productivity from the ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF:

• Patented 1 kHz smartbeam-II laser provides focus diameters down to 10 μm for high resolution imaging near the single cell level, at constant signal intensity even at small focus diameters.

• 1 kHz electronics engineered with precision high voltage control brings the laser performance to a true systems performance for all operational modes. From protein tissue imaging to LC-MALDI proteomic work, all fully enabled at 1–1000 Hz data acquisition rate for both TOF and TOF/TOF operation.

• PAN technology for high mass accuracy and resolution across a wide mass range, for precision proteomics and Top-Down protein sequencing in recombinant protein work.

• The new FlashDetector provides unmatched mass resolution and accuracy.

• The new 4 GHz digitizer, provides unmatched systems performance.

• The self-cleaning MALDI Perpetual ion source complements the suite of innovations ensuring robust operation.

Conclusion

The fusion of ultrafleXtreme's novel features shatters existing technological boundaries. The most flexible MALDI-TOF/TOF platform ever demonstrates its ability to be the reference class in MALDI-based Proteomics applications.

Literature

(1) Bruker Technical Note TN-15.

(2) A. Holle,A. Haase, M. Kayser & J. Höhndorf, Optimizing UV laser focus profiles for improved MALDI performance (2006) J. Mass Spectrom. 41: 705–716.

(3) Bruker Technical Note TN-32.

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Bruker Daltonics Inc.

40 Manning Rd., Billerica, MA 01821

tel. (978)663-3660, fax (978)667-5993

Website: www.bdal.com