Abstract: A sample preparation method is disclosed for volatilization and mass spectrometric analysis of nonvolatile high molecular weight molecules. Photoabsorbing molecules having significant sublimation rates at room temperature under vacuum, and preferably containing hydroxy functionalities, are disclosed for use as matrices in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The samples are typically cooled in the mass spectrometer to temperatures significantly below room temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2001
Assignee:
GeneTrace Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Joanna M. Hunter, Hua Lin, Christopher H. Becker
Abstract: A sample preparation method is disclosed for volatilization and mass spectrometric analysis of nonvolatile high molecular weight molecules. Photoabsorbing molecules having significant sublimation rates at room temperature under vacuum, and preferably containing hydroxy functionalities, are disclosed for use as matrices in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The samples are typically cooled in the mass spectrometer to temperatures significantly below room temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 29, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2000
Assignee:
GeneTrace Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Joanna M. Hunter, Hua Lin, Christopher H. Becker
Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of genetic mapping and genetic identity detection, including forensic identification and paternity testing. This invention is more specifically directed to the use of mass spectrometry to detect length variation in DNA nucleotide sequence repeats (including variants of common alleles), such as microsatellites and short tandem repeats, and to DNA sequences provided as primers for the analysis of DNA tandem nucleotide repeat polymorphisms at specific loci on specific chromosomes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 18, 1998
Date of Patent:
July 18, 2000
Assignee:
Genetrace Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
John M. Butler, Jia Li, Joseph A. Monforte, Christopher H. Becker
Abstract: This invention relates to methods for screening nucleic acids for mutations by analyzing nonrandomly fragmented nucleic acids using mass spectrometric techniques and to procedures for improving mass resolution and mass accuracy of these methods of detecting
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 18, 2000
Assignee:
GeneTrace Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph Albert Monforte, Thomas Andrew Shaler, Yuping Tan, Christopher Hank Becker
Abstract: This invention relates to methods for screening nucleic acids for polymorphisms by analyzing amplified target nucleic acids using mass spectrometric techniques and to procedures for improving mass resolution and mass accuracy of these methods of detecting polymorphisms.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 2, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 12, 1999
Assignee:
GeneTrace Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph Albert Monforte, Thomas Andrew Shaler, Yuping Tan, Christopher Hank Becker
Abstract: The invention provides a mass spectrometer having improved mass resolution, accuracy, sensitivity, reduced complexity, lower cost, and greater ease of use. The mass spectrometer provided comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, in a nested configuration to create a two-stage acceleration region that accelerates ions across a minimized acceleration region, resulting in decreased metastable decay and improved mass accuracy and resolution. The mass spectrometer also comprises a n alignment system to align the ion optics with the laser beam used for desorption/ionization. The mass spectrometer further comprises electrical circuits for delivering high voltage pulses for pulsed delayed ion extraction.