Throughout their evolution, computers have been downsized from mainframes, mini, and micro to hand held devices. Now, the evolution of mass spectrometers might take a similar route. After years of research, Academician Winston Chen and Senior Research Specialist Jung-Lee Lin at Academia Sinica’s Genomics Research Center have developed a new generation “portable multiple ionization source biological mass spectrometer” that is downsized to be portable. Smaller and lighter, this mass spectrometer can measure from atom to microparticle (such as cell). A detailed research paper about this new technology was published in the journal Analyst on May 22, 2020, with its picture chosen for the journal’s cover.Throughout their evolution, computers have been downsized from mainframes, mini, and micro to hand held devices. Now, the evolution of mass spectrometers might take a similar route. After years of research, Academician Winston Chen and Senior Research Specialist Jung-Lee Lin at Academia Sinica’s Genomics Research Center have developed a new generation “portable multiple ionization source biological mass spectrometer” that is downsized to be portable. Smaller and lighter, this mass spectrometer can measure from atom to microparticle (such as cell). A detailed research paper about this new technology was published in the journal Analyst on May 22, 2020, with its picture chosen for the journal’s cover.
Different molecules have varying weights (mass), allowing scientists to identify the molecular structure of a molecule by measuring its weight with a mass spectrometer. However, a mass spectrometer is usually expensive and takes up space(**1). An innovative solution has finally been achieved by the AS mass spectrometer team, funded by the Taiwan Advanced Instrumentation Project.
(**1)The size of a regular mass spectrometer is about 185cm*100cm*70cm, approximately the size of a double door refrigerator.
Unique technology brings mass spectrometry out of the laboratory
According to Dr. Lin, a mass spectrometer usually consists of three major parts: mass analyzer, detector, and ion source. With all three parts improved, the new mass spectrometer is one tenth in size(**2) compared to its counterparts and capable of detecting very large bioparticles. Smaller, yet smarter!
First of all, to improve the mass analyzer, the team used a “ion trap” so a mini pump sucks out most of the air to provide a vacuum space good enough for analysis. This strategy is key to downsizing, as vacuum chambers are no longer essential, unlike most current conventional mass spectrometers.
Secondly, in contrast to the current “voltage scan” method, the team varied the RF frequency with their patented “radio scan” method so the ion spectrum can be obtained to measure subjects from atoms to cells. With this new mass spectrometer, the mass spectrum range has thus been expanded to 10^15 Dalton(**3) from the current 10^6. Furthermore, the team collaborated with Senior Research Scientist Ming-lee Chu at AS’ Institute of Physics. Using the detector he designed, the team improved the capability of the ion trap and accelerated transmission speed.
Finally, with improvements to the ion source, the new mass spectrometer is versatile with multiple functions. Current MS devices are each designed with a certain ion source for a particular usage, thus making it necessary for a lab to acquire several machines. This undeniably sets a high threshold and constraint on space and research fund.. To solve this problem, the AS mass spectrometer team integrated four ionization sources into one machine, including Electrospray Ionization (ESI) for liquid samples; Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) for solid samples; Electron Ionization (EI) for gas samples; and Laser Induced Acoustic Desorption/Ionization (LIAD) for cell samples. With this new design, a much broader array of subjects in various sizes can be measured.
(**2)The size of portable multiple ionization source biological mass spectrometer is about 25cm*25cm*40cm.
(**3)The Dalton (Da) is a molecules mass unit. For example, the Hydrogen molecule (H) has the lightest mass of 1 Da.
A mass spectrometer for everyday life
The portable multiple ionization source biological mass spectrometer is already in the market following the technology’s transfer. More recently, the team equipped the mass spectrometer with liquid chromatograph analysis to further enhance the new mass spectrometer’s functions.
The new mass spectrometer can be readily applied to practical use in society as a response to the need for expanding scientific inventions. For example, this machine can assist drug abuse prevention tasks such as allowing rapid tests to be conducted on site without transferring samples to a lab.
According to the AS Genomics Research Center, the mass spectrometer’s developers are excited by their newest breakthrough because it may popularize mass spectrometers for community or personal use in various fields such as food safety assurance, illegal drug detection, bacteria and virus detection, environmental assessment, and health evaluation. While mass spectrometers have been in use for almost a century, this development might bring forth a new option that is economical, multi-functional, and ready for immediate use.
The original research article can be read online:
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/an/d0an00126k#!divAbstract