Full Name of MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry)
MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry), also referred to as MS2, is a powerful analytical technique widely used for structural elucidation of molecules. In this method, molecules are first ionized and separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) in the first stage of mass spectrometry (MS1). Selected precursor ions are then further fragmented in a second mass spectrometry stage (MS2 or MS/MS), enabling detailed structural analysis of the original compound.
The core workflow of MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry) involves the following steps:
1. Ionization
The sample is ionized to produce charged molecular ions, typically through techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), depending on the nature of the analyte and experimental design.
2. First-Stage Mass Spectrometry (MS1)
The resulting ions are separated and detected according to their m/z values. This stage provides essential information on the molecular mass and the overall ion profile of the sample.
3. Ion Selection
Specific ions, known as precursor ions, are selected from the MS1 spectrum for further interrogation. This selection step is crucial for targeting molecules of interest, especially in complex mixtures.
4. Fragmentation
The selected ions are subjected to collision-induced dissociation (CID) or similar fragmentation techniques, where they collide with inert gas molecules in a collision cell. This process breaks the precursor ions into smaller fragment ions in a predictable manner.
5. Second-Stage Mass Spectrometry (MS2 or MS/MS)
The resulting fragment ions are analyzed in the second mass analyzer. By interpreting the fragmentation pattern, researchers can infer the structure, functional groups, or sequence of the original molecule. MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry) is particularly valuable in proteomics, metabolomics, and small-molecule identification due to its high sensitivity and specificity.
Through this multi-step analytical process, MS/MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry) enables precise molecular characterization, even in complex biological or environmental samples.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
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