Mass Spectrometry

Presentation

Mass spectrometry is a physical-chemical technique which allows to detect, identify and quantify molecules of interest by measuring their masses. Its principle lies in the separation of the charges molecules (ions) according to their mass/charge ratios (m/z)

The graph representing the intensity of the ions according to their m/z ratios is called a mass spectra.

This MS/MS spectra enables the identification of a peptide’s amino acid sequence.

Mass spectrometry is often coupled to separative techniques such as liquid chromatography. becoming the LC-MS/MS.

In IBMC, Mass spectrometry is separated in two divisions : one can find mass spectrometers and experienced engineers dedicated in the study of proteins and proteomes and others in the study of RNAs.