METHODS
LTQ Orbitrap XL
The Orbitrap mass analyzer is the first fundamentally new development in mass spectrometry for the last 25 year. It is an electrostatic ion trap using fast fourier transformation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbitrap). The LTQ Orbitrap XL (Thermo Scientific) with its exceptional mass accuracy (<5 parts per million with external calibration) and high sensitivity is our workhorse for reliable protein identifications. The mass spectrometry acquisition method involves one full MS scan, over a mass range encompassing 450-1600 Da, immediately followed by data-dependent MS/MS scans of the 6 most intense ions detected in the full scan with dynamic exclusion enabled.
(click to enlarge)