Bio-identification using low resolution tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract

Systems and devices are disclosed to generate a multidimensional mass fingerprint that allows for identification on a low-resolution mass spectrometer equipped with post-ionization fragmentation. For this approach, rather than interrogating a sample that is processed into peptides using a single high resolution MS scan as in traditional fingerprinting, a raw unprocessed sample (containing all biochemical species: lipids, proteins, peptides, and metabolites) is analyzed by combining Matrix-Assisted Laser Dissociation/Ionization (MALDI) ionization with low resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed system combines improvements in MS hardware and software with state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) approaches to usher in rapid biological detection. This technique does not require any prior separation (liquid or gas chromatography) and is therefore rapid (e.g. less than 5 sec) and amenable to high throughput (e.g. greater than 384 samples/hr).