Developments in MALDI mass spectrometry: The quest for the perfect matrix

by Batoy, S. M. A. B.; Akhmetova, E.; Miladinovic, S.; Smeal, J.; Wilkins, C. L.

The topic of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry has received much attention over the past several years and with the award of the Nobel Prize to Tanaka based on his landmark paper in 1988, has received even more recent attention. This review focuses on the search for an ideal matrix and generally covers the period from the mid 1990's to the present. There have been a number of excellent and comprehensive reviews on MALDI ion formation and a brief summary of some of the most important conclusions is given here. With respect to the applications of MALDI, the present review focuses primarily on polymer analysis, although in this area too, excellent reviews have been published that include consideration of the MALDI method. Although we make some mention of other uses of MALDI (e.g., to proteins and peptides) and other biological applications, we emphasize the polymer uses in the present review.

Journal
Applied Spectroscopy Reviews
Volume
43
Issue
6
Year
2008
Start Page
485-550
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/05704920802108198
ISBN/ISSN
1520-569X; 0570-4928
DOI
10.1080/05704920802108198