Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
06:16
MALDI-ToF MS Method for the Characterization of Synthetic Polymers with Varying Dispersity and End Groups
Published on: October 3, 2025
1.7K
A general method for producing bioaffinity MALDI probes.
H Wang1, K Tseng, C B Lebrilla
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 11, 1999
Summary
Researchers developed a simple bioaffinity probe by immobilizing avidin on polyester film. This probe effectively concentrates biotinylated oligosaccharides, enabling their clear detection via mass spectrometry.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Oligosaccharides are crucial biomolecules, but their analysis can be challenging.
- Biotinylation is a common method for labeling and detecting biomolecules.
- Efficient concentration techniques are needed for sensitive oligosaccharide analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and effective bioaffinity probe for concentrating biotinylated oligosaccharides.
- To utilize the natural affinity of proteins for hydrophobic surfaces for probe fabrication.
- To demonstrate the probe's utility in mass spectrometry-based analysis.
Main Methods:
- Immobilizing avidin onto a hydrophobic polyester film surface by simple drying.
- Utilizing the high affinity between avidin and biotin for capture.
- Employing 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) as the matrix for mass spectrometry.
- Testing the probe with neutral and anionic biotinylated oligosaccharides.
Main Results:
- A highly active bioaffinity probe was produced in minutes.
- The probe effectively concentrated biotinylated oligosaccharides on the surface.
- Unlabeled oligosaccharides were efficiently washed away, showing no signal in mass spectrometry.
- Polyester film proved to be an optimal material for probe fabrication.
Conclusions:
- The developed avidin-immobilized bioaffinity probe offers a rapid and efficient method for concentrating biotinylated oligosaccharides.
- This technique significantly enhances the sensitivity and specificity of oligosaccharide analysis using mass spectrometry.
- The simplicity of the probe fabrication method makes it a promising tool for various biochemical applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:19MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
7.0K
Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
7.0K
01:08Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)
1.2K
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a powerful analytical technique used in mass spectrometry. It enables the identification and characterization of various biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. MALDI is an ionization technique, widely employed in biological and medical research, as well as in fields like pharmacology and biochemistry.The analyte of interest, a biomolecule or a mixture of biomolecules, is mixed with a suitable matrix...
1.2K
03:31Labeling DNA Probes
9.4K
DNA probes are fragments of DNA labeled with a reporter tag to enable their detection or purification. The resulting labeled DNA probes can then hybridize to target nucleic acid sequences through complementary base-pairing, and may be used to recover or identify these regions.
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
9.4K
01:29Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
23.7K
As used in a healthcare facility, sterilization destroys all microorganisms through physical or chemical methods. The physical method includes steam, dry heat, boiling water, and radiation.
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
23.7K
03:50The Scientific Method
68.4K
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
68.4K
01:32The Scientific Method
270.0K
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
270.0K