Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for treating a polypeptide including a cysteine residue for enhancing the sensitivity of detection thereof in mass spectrometry using charged particles. A mass spectrometry method for a polypeptide including a cysteine residue is provided which includes treating the polypeptide including a cysteine residue with a cyanation agent, treating the cyanated polypeptide with a base, and then desorption ionizing the base-treated polypeptides using charged particles for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes a biopsy needle for sampling a biopsy specimen. The biopsy needle includes a specimen holder that holds the sampled biopsy specimen, and an optical window disposed in the specimen holder and configured to allow optical detection. A biopsy specimen held by the specimen holder of the test apparatus is measured by using a third-order nonlinear Raman microscope.

Abstract: With an inspection instrument in which an optical window is disposed so as to enable optical detection in a sample holder, an analysis involving use of a three-order nonlinear Raman scattering microscope, a treatment with an agent, such as staining, and an analysis involving use of a normal optical microscope are serially carried out without opening and closing of the inspection instrument. Thus, in addition to reference information based on result of analysis of a stained sample, more multiple pieces of auxiliary information related to the morphological or functional characteristics of the sample can be obtained from the sample while the reliability of comparison thereof with the reference information is well maintained.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes a biopsy needle for sampling a biopsy specimen. The biopsy needle includes a specimen holder that holds the sampled biopsy specimen, and an optical window disposed in the specimen holder and configured to allow optical detection. A biopsy specimen held by the specimen holder of the test apparatus is measured by using a third-order nonlinear Raman microscope.

Abstract: Provided is a method that achieves both of soft ionization and high ionization efficiency of a substance to be analyzed at each measurement site without impairing a two-dimensional distribution state of the substance to be analyzed in desorption ionization mass spectrometry of a substance to be measured. By applying, to a substance to be analyzed, an ionization assisting reagent including an organic acid including a functional group represented by —(CF2)COOH and having a boiling point of 150° C. or more, and a polyhydric alcohol having a melting point of 20° C. or less and a boiling point of 150° C. or more at normal pressure, the organic acid, which is a component of the ionization assisting reagent, effectively donates a proton to the substance to be analyzed, thereby improving ionization efficiency, and the polyhydric alcohol, which is a component of the ionization assisting reagent, inhibits fragmentation.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for treating a polypeptide including a cysteine residue for enhancing the sensitivity of detection thereof in mass spectrometry using charged particles. A mass spectrometry method for a polypeptide including a cysteine residue is provided which includes treating the polypeptide including a cysteine residue with a cyanation agent, treating the cyanated polypeptide with a base, and then desorption ionizing the base-treated polypeptides using charged particles for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Provided is a method that achieves both of soft ionization and high ionization efficiency of a substance to be analyzed at each measurement site without impairing a two-dimensional distribution state of the substance to be analyzed in desorption ionization mass spectrometry of a substance to be measured. By applying, to a substance to be analyzed, an ionization assisting reagent including an organic acid including a functional group represented by —(CF2)COOH and having a boiling point of 150° C. or more, and a polyhydric alcohol having a melting point of 20° C. or less and a boiling point of 150° C. or more at normal pressure, the organic acid, which is a component of the ionization assisting reagent, effectively donates a proton to the substance to be analyzed, thereby improving ionization efficiency, and the polyhydric alcohol, which is a component of the ionization assisting reagent, inhibits fragmentation.