Mass Spectrometry: A Beginners Guide

10 FAQs to Get You Started on Your MS Journey

Published: October 30, 2023

by Jean-Philippe Couture, PhD, Scientific Sales Manager

Mass spectrometry is a pretty complex science. In fact, it is so complex that some scientists even try to stay away from it and turn to basic molecular techniques to get answers to their questions. Well, fear no more! We’re about to answer 10 of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on mass spectrometry to demystify these amazing instruments (and secretly make you like it!).

Question 1: What is a mass spectrometer?

A mass spectrometer is a fancy scale. Of course, it is way, way more precise than your regular lab scale, but it serves the same purpose. When you put something in a mass spec, what you end up with is a list of masses, as well as an indication of their quantity (Figure 1).

In a modern mass spectrometer, a molecule will sequentially encounter three main components: the ion source, the mass analyzer, and the detector.

1. The Ion Source – There are several types of ion sources, but we won’t go in too deep on that in this blog post, stay tuned. The only thing you need to remember for a basic comprehension of the machine is that this is where the molecules will be ionized (or gain a charge).
2. The Mass Analyzer – Again, there are several kinds of mass analyzers, but their purpose is the same: to filter and separate the molecules based on their mass, using electrical currents.
3. The Detector – The detector is the final component of the mass spec. Its role is to detect the current that is produced by the ionized molecule(s) and to transform it into a mass, using different strategies.

Question 2: What is tandem mass spectrometry?

The term “tandem mass spectrometry”, or MS/MS as you may also have seen, refers to a technique in mass spectrometry that studies the fragments of a molecule of interest, rather than the molecule itself. When performing an MS/MS experiment, we use energy in the mass spectrometer to break apart the molecule(s) that we want to study. The result is a number of smaller fragments of molecule that we can quantify or use to identify the parent molecule.

Tandem mass spectrometry is commonly used to reduce the chances of getting interfering compounds that pollute the signal of the molecule of interest.

The theory behind this is that there are fewer chances of having two molecules with the same mass AND the same fragments than just having two molecules with the same mass.

Question 3: How is mass spectrometry used?

This one is a little tricky to answer concisely, as there are a lot of different ways of doing mass spectrometry. You see, different mass spectrometry techniques require different sample preparation protocols and precautions. Also, even if we stick with one mass spectrometry technique like LC-MS/MS, there are several ways of looking at your sample. For example, if you want to look at only a handful of molecules and obtain a very precise quantification, you will have to perform the extraction of your molecules of interest from the matrix that contains them, clean them, feed them on the separation column, analyze them with a directed acquisition method such as MRM and get the data report. However, if what you’re after is the identification of thousands of proteins from a cell extract, then the preparation, the LC, and the MS/MS methods will likely be different. But if I had to describe how we generally determine how to use MS, it would be like this:

1. Establish what you want to look at with MS. Proteins? Metabolites? Lipids? Other?
2. Identify the best mass spectrometry technique for your needs or ask an expert about it 😉
3. Extract and purify the molecules from the matrix using an appropriate protocol
4. Establish a good acquisition method on the mass spectrometer
5. Perform the acquisition and data analysis
6. Generate a clear data report

Question 4: What can you do with a mass spectrometer?

The short answer is that with the appropriate mass spec, you can identify and/or quantify almost anything that is ionisable. For example, as mentioned earlier, you can get a very precise quantification of a molecule, even at sub picogram per milliliter. It is also possible to get relative quantification of several thousands of proteins, with a label free LC-MS/MS method called SWATH, with as few as three injections per sample. Or you can get the exact mass of your compound for quality control or research purposes. With a good method, MS can do a whole lot of things!

Question 5: How sensible is a mass spectrometer?

It really depends on your molecule of interest and on the matrix in which it is. But we can most definitely say that mass spectrometers are pretty sensible!

For a quantitative approach, the service provider will generally establish the linear range of detection of your molecule of interest and try to bring the test samples into range.

To do this, we can either use the sample as is, or concentrate/dilute it to bring it into the linear range. Therefore, there are not a lot of things that are either too concentrated or too low in concentration for an MS to analyze.

Question 6: When or why do you use mass spectrometry?

You can use mass spectrometry when you need precision and/or resolution in your experiments. Also, for some applications, you don’t have to rely on the availability of kits or antibodies to perform your study.

Question 7: What is the difference between GC-MS, LC-MS, and CE-MS?

The GC, LC, and CE in front of the MS refer to different separation methods for the analytes prior to their entry in the mass spec. In these cases, GC stands for gas chromatography, LC for liquid chromatography, and CE for capillary electrophoresis.

Again, you should prioritize one separation method over the other based on the molecules you want to analyze and the type of separation needed.

Question 8: Is mass spectrometry accurate?

In principle, yes, very accurate. Again, it depends on the skill of the team that will take care of the analysis, but overall, MS is one of the most accurate detection/quantification methods available. It can also depend on the instrument that you use. To do a simple analogy, you won’t have the same image quality if you watch your favorite movie on a TV from the 1990s or on a brand new OLED 4K UHD television. The same applies with mass spectrometers. If you use a low resolution mass spectrometer, you may get blurrier results than with a brand new high resolution instrument.

Question 9: Is mass spectrometry expensive?

It may look like it, but it is not. Considering everything that you can squeeze out of a mass spec analysis, it can be a much better investment than classic molecular biology techniques. MS by itself cannot really do much more than give you the mass and the amount of something in your sample. However, when you combine it with other techniques, it can be a lot of bang for the buck.

For example, in one injection, MS can provide quantitative information on every interaction partner of your protein of interest or on the metabolism of a drug by providing quantification for several of its metabolites. Therefore, in one experiment, you can possibly multiply the amount of results you get by a lot.

Question 10: Is mass spectrometry quantitative?

If you want it to be, then yes, MS can be quantitative. To do so, the operator will choose an acquisition method that allows the quantification of your molecule of interest. Of note, this quantification can be either absolute or relative.

Conclusion

There you have it. These are ten of the most frequently asked questions that we get about mass spectrometry. If you have a specific question to ask us about MS, just do so in the form below! We would be happy to help!