Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry substrates having low volume matrix array elements
Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.
1. A substrate for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis, which comprises a surface having an array of spots, wherein:
each spot comprises 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte resulting from the deposition, by a vesicle or pin comprising an interior chamber and connected to a pressure source, of a reproduced, defined and controlled 0.2 to 20 nanoliter volume of matrix material;
the substrate is a flat chip; and
the center of each spot is about 2.25 millimeters or less from the center of an adjacent spot.
2. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein each spot consists of matrix.
3. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the chip comprises pits or wells configured to receive matrix material.
4. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the center of each spot is about 2.25 millimeters from the center of an adjacent spot.
5. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the center of each spot is about 1.125 millimeters or less from the center of an adjacent spot.
6. The substrate of claim 5 , wherein the center of each spot is about 1.125 millimeters from the center of an adjacent spot.
7. The substrate of claim 5 , wherein the center of each spot is about 0.5 millimeters from the center of an adjacent spot.
8. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a hydrophilic flat surface.
9. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the vesicle is one of an assembly of vesicles or the pin is one of an assembly of pins.
10. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the vesicle or pin is further connected to a transducer.
11. The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the transducer is a piezoelectric transducer.
12. The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the deposition is by extending a drop of fluid from the vesicle or pin onto the surface of the substrate.
13. The substrate of claim 10 , wherein the deposition is by spraying the surface of the substrate.
14. The substrate of claim 11 , wherein the deposition is by extending a drop of fluid from the vesicle or pin onto the surface of the substrate.
15. The substrate of claim 11 , wherein the deposition is by spraying the surface of the substrate.
16. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the chip is a silicon chip.
17. The substrate of claim 1 , wherein the deposition is by piezoelectric dispenser.