LC/MALDI

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization can be used to characterize complex mixtures of proteins by performing a separation step prior to MALDI analysis.  Data obtained is often complementary to ESI/MS/MS.  Using an LC MALDI approach, the rate of the collection of MS/MS data is decoupled from the chromatographic separation which allows for result dependent analysis. MS/MS spectra are collected at peak maxima in order to obtain the highest quality data.

LC/MALDI is useful when isobaric peptides are present, greater coverage of proteins is desired, or when sample complexity requires the acquisition of many MS/MS spectra.  Quantitative proteomics with various isotope labeling strategies can be realized using this technique.