Methods and Devices for Concentration and Fractionation of Analytes for Chemical Analysis Including Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) Mass Spectrometry (MS)
A device is described for pre-concentration and purification of analytes from biological samples (such as human serum, plasma, homogenized solid tissue, etc.) to be analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS) and methods of use thereof are provided.
1 . A device for electrophoretically separating, concentrating, and capturing an analyte in a sample comprising:
a sample well for retaining a fluid sample in an electrolyte;
a separation layer providing a path for diffusive ionic, and fluidic communication with the well; and
a capture layer providing a path for diffusive ionic, and fluidic communication with the separation layer;
wherein the capture layer is a porous material further comprising beads.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the beads are polymer, glass, or ceramic.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the beads are from 10 microns to 200 microns in diameter.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the surface chemistry of the beads is reverse phase, ion-exchange, or normal phase.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capture layer is a hydrophobic porous polymer, a hydrophilic porous polymer, or a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capture layer is a porous poly(vinylidene difluoride) material.
7 . A device for capturing a sample analyte for analysis in a mass spectrometer comprising:
a cartridge capture slide comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therein;
a plurality of capture layers disposed in the plurality of apertures;
wherein the plurality of capture layers are manufactured from a porous material further comprising beads.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the beads are polymer, glass, or ceramic.
9 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the beads are from 10 microns to 200 microns in diameter.
10 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the surface chemistry of the beads is reverse phase, ion-exchange, or normal phase.
11 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the porous material is a hydrophobic porous polymer, a hydrophilic porous polymer, or a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers.
12 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the capture layers are porous poly(vinylidene difluoride).
13 . A method for identifying an analyte by mass spectrometric analysis comprising:
providing the device of claim 1 ;
placing a sample fluid containing an analyte in the sample well;
applying an electrical current to the sample fluid to effect electrical transport of the analyte through the separation layer and onto the capture layer; and
identifying the mass of analytes on the capture layer in a mass spectrometer.
14 . A cartridge capture slide adaptable for use in a mass spectrometer comprising:
an array of apertures disposed in the cartridge capture slide; and
an array of capture layers disposed in the array of apertures;
wherein the array of capture layers are manufactured from a porous material further comprising beads;
wherein the cartridge capture slide is incorporated within a device comprising an array of sample wells and a cartridge gel plate; and
wherein the cartridge gel plate comprises an array of apertures in which are disposed an array of separation layers.
15 . The cartridge capture slide of claim 14 , wherein the beads are polymer, glass, or ceramic.
16 . The cartridge capture slide of claim 14 , wherein the beads are from 10 microns to 200 microns in diameter.
17 . The cartridge capture slide of claim 14 , wherein the surface chemistry of the beads is reverse phase, ion-exchange, or normal phase.
18 . The cartridge capture slide of claim 14 , wherein the porous material is a hydrophobic porous polymer, a hydrophilic porous polymer, or a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers.
19 . The cartridge capture slide of claim 14 , wherein the capture layers are porous poly(vinylidene difluoride).