Abstract: Ion source devices with controlled superposition of electrostatic and gas flow fields to effect rapid collisional cooling with improved ion collection and collimation, analytical apparatus comprising such ion source devices, and methods for use are presented.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling ion current in an ion transmission device. An apparatus of the present invention comprises an ion source, an ion transmission device, and a controller. The ion source and the ion transmission device are in ion communication therebetween, and the controller is in signal communication with both the ion source and the ion transmission device. The ion current of the ion transmission device may be controlled by coordinating at least one of the operating parameter values of the ion source with at least one of the operating parameter values of the ion transmission device. Such coordination may result in, for example, improved ion current in the ion transmission device. Also embraced by the present invention are mass spectrometer embodiments that include or use the apparatus or methods of the present invention for controlling ion current.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of processing a plurality of spectra. The method includes receiving values associated with a plurality of sample spots on one or more sample chips, wherein the values were entered using graphic elements representing the sample spots, the graphic elements being displayed on a graphical user interface. Data representing a plurality of signals are received. Each signal in the plurality of signals is annotated with a set of values associated with the sample spot from which the signal is generated.

Abstract: Polyurethane polymers bearing multiple reactive groups are readily prepared from easily accessible precursors. The reactive groups of the polymers are then derivatized with binding functionalities for analytes, energy absorbing molecules for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, fluorescent moieties and the like. The reactive groups can also be converted to different reactive groups having a desired avidity or specificity for a selected reaction partner. The polymers are incorporated into devices of use for the analysis, capture, separation, or purification of an analyte. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a substrate coated with a polymer of the invention, the substrate being adapted for use as a probe for a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a probe and a method of making the probe that is removably insertable into a gas phase ion spectrometer, the probe comprising a substrate having a surface and a hydrogel material on the surface, the hydrogel material comprising binding functionalities for binding with an analyte detectable by the gas phase ion spectrometer. The invention also provides a probe and a method of making the probe that is removably insertable into a gas phase ion spectrometer, the probe comprising a substrate having a surface and a plurality of particles that are uniform in diameter on the surface, the particles comprising binding functionalities for binding with an analyte detectable by the gas phase ion spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for the isolation and purification of defensin polypeptides from white blood cells. More particularly, the present invention provides methods for the extraction and purification of defensin polypeptides, i.e., ?-defensins 1, 2 and 3, from intact white blood cells, without the need for nitrogen cavitation (Parr bomb) or mechanical disruption, centrifugation and gel filtration.

Abstract: The invention provides a probe and a method of making the probe that is removably insertable into a gas phase ion spectrometer, the probe comprising a substrate having a surface and a hydrogel material on the surface, the hydrogel material comprising binding functionalities for binding with an analyte detectable by the gas phase ion spectrometer. The invention also provides a probe and a method of making the probe that is removably insertable into a gas phase ion spectrometer, the probe comprising a substrate having a surface and a plurality of particles that are uniform in diameter on the surface, the particles comprising binding functionalities for binding with an analyte detectable by the gas phase ion spectrometer.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of polypeptides that bind to antibodies directed to a desired polypeptide of interest. Using natriuretic peptides and their precursors, and in particular BNP, as an example, the present invention describes a number of natriuretic peptides fragments produced in biological samples, most preferably blood-derived samples, that bind to antibodies directed to BNP. Because production of such fragments is an ongoing process that may be a function of, inter alia, the elapsed time between onset of an event triggering natriuretic peptide release into the tissues and the time the sample is obtained or analyzed; the elapsed time between sample acquisition and the time the sample is analyzed; the type of tissue sample at issue; the storage conditions; the quantity of proteolytic enzymes present; etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of qualifying ovarian cancer status in a subject comprising: (a) measuring at least one biomarker in a sample from the subject and (b) correlating the measurement with ovarian cancer status. The invention further relates to kits for qualifying ovarian cancer status in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a loading device for automating transfer of a plurality of probes between a cassette within which the plurality of probes are initially constrained and an analytical instrument, e.g., mass spectrometer. The loading device may be configured to accept a single or a plurality of cassettes each removably constraining a plurality of probes to be analyzed. The loading device may permit each of the plurality of cassettes to be independently interchanged with a separate cassette removably constraining a separate plurality of probes during mass spectrometric analysis, or for additional cassettes to be loaded into the device during analysis. In a useful embodiment, the loading device comprises a cassette transport assembly and a probe insertion assembly. The cassette transport assembly linearly translates one or more cassettes to align the cassette(s) with respect to the mass spectrometer so that a probe may be translated therebetween by the probe insertion assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer that includes a trace amount of a luminescent moiety. The polymers have unique properties that make them ideally suited for use in diverse analyses, including desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of analytes. The invention also provides a device that incorporates the polymeric compositions of the inventions, methods of using the device to detect, quantify and identify analytes, and a method of preparing a device of the invention. The luminescent moiety provides a detectable tracer that allows for a rapid, simple quality control assay of devices that incorporate the polymer.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: An improved electron multiplier bias network that limits the response of the multiplier when the multiplier is faced with very large input signals, but then permits the multiplier to recover quickly following the large input signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting an analyte, including a substrate having a chemically selective surface; and a fluidic system disposed on the substrate, the manifold having at least one fluid path in communication with at least a discrete region of the surface, wherein the one fluid path and the discrete region together define a contained sample region on the surface. The fluidic system has a removable portion, wherein the removal of the removable portion of the fluidic system renders the discrete region directly interrogatable by a surface-based analytical tool.

Abstract: An improved electron multiplier bias network that limits the response of the multiplier when the multiplier is faced with very large input signals, but then permits the multiplier to recover quickly following the large input signal.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of retentate chromatography for resolving analytes in a sample. The methods involve adsorbing the analytes to a substrate under a plurality of different selectivity conditions, and detecting the analytes retained on the substrate by desorption spectrometry. The methods are useful in biology and medicine, including clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of processing a plurality of spectra. The method includes receiving values associated with a plurality of sample spots on one or more sample chips, wherein the values were entered using graphic elements representing the sample spots, the graphic elements being displayed on a graphical user interface. Data representing a plurality of signals are received. Each signal in the plurality of signals is annotated with a set of values associated with the sample spot from which the signal is generated.