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Encyclopedia of Biophysics pp 1–5Cite as

Mass Analysis

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Synonyms

Mass measurement

Definition

The analysis of ions by measurement of their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z).

Introduction

Mass spectrometry is concerned with measurement of the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of ions. In the case of biopolymers, ions are most frequently generated by electospray ionization (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Measurement of m/z is conducted in a region of the mass spectrometer known as the mass analyzer. There are numerous designs of mass analyzer, but all rely on the use of electric or magnetic fields to manipulate ions in a manner that leads to determination of their m/z. A comprehensive treatment of the principles of mass analysis, in the various analyzers known, is beyond the scope of this entry. Instead, a brief description of the methods most commonly used for the analysis of biomolecules is provided. For a more detailed account, the reader is directed to de Hoffmann and Stroobant (2002) and Watson and Sparkman (2007).

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References

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  • De Hoffmann E, Stroobant V (2002) Mass spectrometry principles and applications. Wiley, Chichester

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  • Paul W, Steinwedel H (1953) Ein neues massenspektrometer ohne magnetfeld. Z Naturforsch A 8:448–450

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  • Watson JT, Sparkman OD (2007) Introduction to mass spectrometry. Wiley, Chichester

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  • Wiley WC, McLaren IH (1955) TOF-MS. Rev Sci Instrum 26:1150–1157

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Neil J. Oldham

Authors
  1. Neil J. Oldham
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil J. Oldham .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Leicester MRC Centre, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Gordon Roberts

  2. Dept Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

    Anthony Watts

Section Editor information

  1. School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Neil J. Oldham

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© 2018 European Biophysical Societies' Association (EBSA)

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Oldham, N.J. (2018). Mass Analysis. In: Roberts, G., Watts, A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Biophysics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35943-9_210-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35943-9_210-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-35943-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-35943-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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