Mass Spectrometry Facility

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The Mass Spectrometry Facility offers the following services for ASU and external customers:

• Protein/peptide services
• Protein ID from solution or gel band
• Sample purification (solution, in-gel digestion, zip tip or similar)
• Accurate mass ID of targeted proteins or peptides
• Small molecule services
• ID of targeted small molecules in a variety of matrices (LC-MS and GC-MS)
• Putative ID of small molecules (GC-MS only)
• Small molecule ID by spectral match (GC-MS only)
• Accurate mass ID of targeted compounds
• Sample extraction (core volumes and capabilities determine service availability)

A consultation is required for all services. Please contact [email protected] to set up a consultation.

All services, training, and walk up instrument reservations are created and tracked through iLab. Please consult with the core staff prior to submitting an iLab request for your project.

Learn more about iLab and how to sign up.

Required safety trainings 

Training is provided through Workday Learning. Customers from outside of ASU will receive access after onboarding with Core Research Facilities staff. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Required trainings include:

• Fire Safety
• Hazardous Waste Training
• Laboratory Safety

To request instrument training

1. Log in to iLab and navigate to the Mass Spectrometry Facility page. 
2. Under the “Request Services” tab, locate the training menu and click the “request service” button.
3. Fill out the following form, selecting the instruments you wish to be trained on. 
4. A core facility staff member will reach out to you to verify your EHS (Career EDGE) training and schedule a time for training.

Training is booked in one hour increments and the amount of hours needed to ensure proficient, independent use varies. Please refer to iLab for typical training schedules for each instrument.

To reserve time on walk-up instruments

The following instruments are currently available for walk up use:

• Agilent 6530 Quadrupole Time-of-Flight LC-MS (ESI or APCI)
• Agilent 6890N GC 5973N Single Quadrupole MS
• Bruker microFlex LRF MALDI Time-of-Flight
• LECO GCxGC Time of Flight Spectrometer

Walk-up use of Thermo Fisher LC-MS Triple Quad, Lumos Fusion Orbitrap and Agilent 7000D GC Triple Quadrupole MS is based on instrument demand and user mass spectrometry experience level. Hourly rates provided upon request.

Note: Walk-up users must complete the following trainings to access the Mass Spectrometry Facility: Fire Safety, Lab Safety, Hazardous Waste Management and Biosafety/Bloodborne Pathogens training.

1. Ensure you are fully trained and have access to the appropriate calendar.
2. Log in to iLab and navigate to the Mass Spectrometry Facility page. 
3. Under the “Schedule Equipment” tab, locate the instrument you wish to use. Click the associated “View Schedule” button for the instrument.
4. Drag and drop the requested reservation in the instrument’s calendar.
5. A form will populate. Fill out all required fields on the reservation. Please leave event notes for any special assistance or circumstances you may have during your reservation.
6. Verify your payment account and save your reservation.
7. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so as soon as possible by double clicking on your reservation time and canceling the reservation.

To request services

1. Following your consultation, log in to iLab and navigate to the Mass Spectrometry Facility page. 
2. Under the “Request Services” tab, click “request services” next to the associated instrument or service. (LC-MS or MALDI, GC-MS, Training)
3. Fill out the form as completely as possible, providing as much detail about your samples as possible to assist the facility during the course of your project.