Automation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Using Fuzzy Logic Feedback Control

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• 作者：Ole N. Jensen ; Peter Mortensen ; Ole Vorm ; and Matthias Mann
• 刊名：Analytical Chemistry
• 出版年：1997
• 出版时间：May 1, 1997
• 年：1997
• 卷：69
• 期：9
• 页码：1706 - 1714
• 全文大小：383K
• 年卷期：v.69,no.9(May 1, 1997)
• ISSN：1520-6882

文摘

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) massspectrometry is a sensitive and versatile method forbiomolecular analysis which has potential for high-throughput screening in many applications. To obtainmass spectra of optimal quality, however, laser fluenceis continuously adjusted during data acquisition to beclose to the threshold level of ion production, requiringaskilled operator and several minutes of acquisition timeper sample. Using real-time fuzzy logic control of thelaserfluence, we here demonstrate that the acquisition ofMALDI spectra can be automated without reduction ofdata quality. The control algorithm evaluates signalintensity and mass resolution of the base peak. Itthenregulates the laser fluence to keep the ion signalintensitywithin the dynamic range of the data acquisition hardwarewhile maintaining high mass resolution. This fuzzylogiccontrol system allows unattended data acquisition usingeither static ion extraction or delayed ion extractionMALDI. Even for difficult samples such as femtomole-level peptide mixtures, no significant reduction in dataquality is observed, as compared to manually obtainedspectra. Automated analysis of 78 chromatographicfractions with high mass accuracy demonstrates the utility ofthe method. The control algorithm has been combinedwith other software modules to completely automatedatabase identification of proteins by their peptide massmaps. The success of fuzzy logic in MALDI automationsuggests wider uses of this technique in mass spectrometry.