Abstract: An angled dual-polarity mass spectrometer includes a dual-polarity ion generator, a first mass analyzer, and a second mass analyzer. The dual-polarity ion generator includes an ion source to generate positive ions and negative ions from a sample, and electrodes to generate electric fields for guiding the negative ions into a beam of negative ions and guiding the positive ions into a beam of positive ions. The first mass analyzer can analyze the negative ions, and the second mass analyzer can analyze the positive ions. The central axes of the first and the second mass analyzers are at an angle between 0 to 179 degrees.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for obtaining the mass spectrum of a single macromolecular or biomolecular ion in a mass spectrometer. The methods include creating single macromolecular or biomolecular primary ions in an ion trap by ionization of a macromolecule or biomolecule; ejecting half of the primary ions for detection with a first charge detector; ejecting half of the primary ions to impact upon a conversion dynode, thereby creating secondary ions for detection with charge amplification detector such as a channeltron or an electromultiplier or an MCP.

Abstract: A novel system and methods for accelerating analytes including, without limitation, molecular ions, biomolecules, polymers, nano- and microparticles, is provided. The invention can be useful for increasing detection sensitivity in applications such as mass spectrometry, performing collision-induced dissociation molecular structure analysis, and probing surfaces and samples using accelerated analyte.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ultrasound ionization mass spectrometry are provided. Analytes in a sample are ionized by subjecting them to ultrasound, facilitating their analysis by mass spectrometry. With these methods and systems, soft ionization of large analytes, including biological macromolecules and nanoparticles, can be achieved. Ionization efficiency can be improved by addition of chemicals such as, for example, organic solvents or acids to the sample.

Abstract: A novel system and methods for accelerating analytes including, without limitation, molecular ions, biomolecules, polymers, nano- and microparticles, is provided. The invention can be useful for increasing detection sensitivity in applications such as mass spectrometry, performing collision-induced dissociation molecular structure analysis, and probing surfaces and samples using accelerated analyte.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for obtaining the mass spectrum of a single macromolecular or biomolecular ion in a mass spectrometer. The methods include creating single macromolecular or biomolecular primary ions in an ion trap by ionization of a macromolecule or biomolecule; ejecting half of the primary ions for detection with a first charge detector; ejecting half of the primary ions to impact upon a conversion dynode, thereby creating secondary ions for detection with charge amplification detector such as a channeltron or an electromultiplier or an MCP.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of nanoparticles or microparticles by cell mass spectrometry (CMS) are provided. CMS methods are provided for determining the number of nanoparticles or microparticles in each cell. Nanoparticles whose intracellular concentration can be determines by the CMS methods of the invention include polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, viral-based NPs, carbon nanotubes, diamond NPs, polymeric micelles, nanocarriers, liposomes, and viral nanoparticles. Determination of the efficiency of drug delivery and intracellular titer of pathogens according to the invention is disclosed. Methods for determining intracellular uptake of virus particles are provided.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancers by detection of endogenous peptides in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) are provided. Diagnostic peptides derived from dermcidin (DCD) are provided. A specific dermcidin-derived peptide E-R11, having the sequence ENAGEDPGLAR, is provided. E-R11 peptide levels in EBC, as measured by mass spectrometry (MS), are highly diagnostic of non-small cell lung cancers. A method for inhibiting growth of lung cancer cells by inhibiting DCD expression by RNA interference also is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for portable mass spectrometry are disclosed. The apparatuses comprise at least one source of ionized analyte, at least one frequency scanning subsystem, at least one detector, and optionally at least one vacuum pump, and are portable. In some embodiments, the apparatuses comprise multiple sources of ionized analyte and/or are configured to obtain mass spectra of a large analyte, such as analyte with an m/z ratio of at least 105, or analyte with a molecular weight of at least 105 Da, as well as mass spectra of small molecule analyte. In some embodiments, the methods comprise obtaining mass spectra with a portable apparatus described above.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ultrasound ionization mass spectrometry are provided. Analytes in a sample are ionized by subjecting them to ultrasound, facilitating their analysis by mass spectrometry. With these methods and systems, soft ionization of large analytes, including biological macromolecules and nanoparticles, can be achieved. Ionization efficiency can be improved by addition of chemicals such as, for example, organic solvents or acids to the sample.

Abstract: A novel system and methods for accelerating analytes including, without limitation, molecular ions, biomolecules, polymers, nano- and microparticles, is provided. The invention can be useful for increasing detection sensitivity in applications such as mass spectrometry, performing collision-induced dissociation molecular structure analysis, and probing surfaces and samples using accelerated analyte.

Abstract: An angled dual-polarity mass spectrometer includes a dual-polarity ion generator, a first mass analyzer, and a second mass analyzer. The dual-polarity ion generator includes an ion source to generate positive ions and negative ions from a sample, and electrodes to generate electric fields for guiding the negative ions into a beam of negative ions and guiding the positive ions into a beam of positive ions. The first mass analyzer can analyze the negative ions, and the second mass analyzer can analyze the positive ions. The central axes of the first and the second mass analyzers are at an angle between 0 to 179 degrees.

Abstract: Methods for determining the quality of a biomolecular microarray to determine suitability of the microarray for performing specific binding reactions, such as hybridization, are provided. Methods are based on staining a microarray with a solution of detectable nanoparticles that reversibly stain the biomolecules through an electrostatic interaction to select microarrays that meet quality standards for hybridization reactions. A gold nanoparticle solution based staining method for DNA microarrays is provided. Destaining methods allowing multiple rounds of hybridization of nanogold stained microarrays are provided. Microarrays selected by methods of the invention are provided.

Abstract: A dual-polarity mass spectrometer includes an ion source, a negative ion mass analyzer, and a positive ion mass analyzer to measure both the negative and positive ion spectra of a sample material simultaneously. The ion source includes a sample surface on which the sample material is positioned, the sample material providing positive ions and negative ions when excited by a laser beam or an energetic particle stream. A first extraction electrode is connected to a voltage higher than the sample surface to attract the negative ions from the sample electrode. A second extraction electrode is connected to a voltage lower than the sample surface to attract the positive ions from the sample electrode. The negative and positive ions are analyzed simultaneously by the negative ion mass analyzer and the positive ion mass analyzer, respectively.

Abstract: A method for producing gas phase molecules includes providing a sample of molecules, the sample being characterized by a charge distribution, and directing acoustic radiation at the sample of molecules to desorb at least some of the molecules from the sample such that the desorbed molecules have a charge distribution that is substantially the same as the charge distribution of the sample of molecules.

Abstract: A novel system and method for charge-monitoring mass spectrometry is provided. The mass spectrometer can be used to measure the mass of one or more analytes having masses in the range of about a few Daltons to more than about 1015 Daltons. The invention can be used for rapid mass distribution measurements. For example, the system and method can be used to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells when their mass distributions are different.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit and a system for performing an in-solution microarray assay, and a method of carrying out this assay. The kit includes a plate having a number of wells in which a plurality of magnetic beads are placed. These magnetic beads are coated with different probes, wherein beads placed in each individual well are coated with identical probes.

Abstract: A dual-polarity mass spectrometer includes an ion source, a negative ion mass analyzer, and a positive ion mass analyzer to measure both the negative and positive ion spectra of a sample material simultaneously. The ion source includes a sample surface on which the sample material is positioned, the sample material providing positive ions and negative ions when excited by a laser beam or an energetic particle stream. A first extraction electrode is connected to a voltage higher than the sample surface to attract the negative ions from the sample electrode. A second extraction electrode is connected to a voltage lower than the sample surface to attract the positive ions from the sample electrode. The negative and positive ions are analyzed simultaneously by the negative ion mass analyzer and the positive ion mass analyzer, respectively.

Abstract: A method for producing gas phase molecules includes providing a sample of molecules, the sample being characterized by a charge distribution, and directing acoustic radiation at the sample of molecules to desorb at least some of the molecules from the sample such that the desorbed molecules have a charge distribution that is substantially the same as the charge distribution of the sample of molecules.

Abstract: A high sensitivity array-based detection system includes a plurality of probes immobilized onto a plurality of locations provided on a surface of a patterned array, such as a microarray. At least one target selectively binds to at least one of the plurality of probes when disposed proximate thereto under appropriate conditions, such as temperature and pH. The target includes at least one bound particle. The bound particle includes a plurality of label molecules. Alternatively, the target can be immobilized to the surface of the array, such as from a sample suspected of including the target. An excitation light source provides excitation light incident to one or more locations on the patterned array. A photodetector detects emanated signals from the patterned array. The photodetector can be a commercially available digital camera.