Discovering nature’s fingerprints: isotope ratio analysis on bioanalytical mass spectrometers
Neubauer, C.; Kantnerová, K.; Lamothe, A.; Savarino, J.; Hilkert, A.; Juchelka, D.; Hinrichs, K.-U.; Elvert, M.; Heuer, V.B.; Elsner, M.; Bakkour, R.; Julien, M.; Öztoprak, M.; Schouten, S.; Hattori, S.; Dittmar, T. (2023). Discovering nature’s fingerprints: isotope ratio analysis on bioanalytical mass spectrometers. Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry 34(4): 525-537. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jasms.2c00363 In: Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. Springer: New York. ISSN 1044-0305; e-ISSN 1879-1123, more |   |
| Authors | | Top | - Neubauer, C.
- Kantnerová, K.
- Lamothe, A.
- Savarino, J.
- Hilkert, A.
- Juchelka, D.
| - Hinrichs, K.-U.
- Elvert, M.
- Heuer, V.B.
- Elsner, M.
- Bakkour, R.
| - Julien, M.
- Öztoprak, M.
- Schouten, S., more
- Hattori, S.
- Dittmar, T.
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| Abstract | For a generation or more, the mass spectrometry that developed at the frontier of molecular biology was worlds apart from isotope ratio mass spectrometry, a label-free approach done on optimized gas-source magnetic sector instruments. Recent studies show that electrospray-ionization Orbitraps and other mass spectrometers widely used in the life sciences can be fine-tuned for high-precision isotope ratio analysis. Since isotope patterns form everywhere in nature based on well-understood principles, intramolecular isotope measurements allow unique insights into a fascinating range of research topics. This perspective introduces a wider readership to current topics in stable isotope research with the aim to discuss how soft-ionization mass spectrometry coupled with ultra-high mass resolution can enable long-envisioned progress. We highlight novel prospects of observing isotopes in intact polar compounds and speculate on future directions of this adventure into the overlapping realms of biology, chemistry, and geology. |
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