First cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometer for commercial research installed at Aston University

Aston University’s School of Health and Life Sciences (Birmingham, UK) has announced the completed installation of the Waters (MA, USA) SELECT SERIES Cyclic™ ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometer. The unit – the first commercial research instrument of its kind in the world– will be used to support therapeutic and biotechnological research taking place at Aston University and across the Midland Innovation consortium, a group of eight research universities across the midlands (UK).

Mass spectrometry sees widespread use in many aspects of analytical chemistry and bioanalytical research. Cyclic ion mobility spectrometry replaces the traditional linear ion mobility region in favor of separating ions in a compact cyclic device. While ions traverse the cyclic region, each pass allows greater ion mobility resolution to be achieved.

Andrew Pitt, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Aston University), explained: “The new instrument is one of a relatively recent class of mass spectrometers, incorporating ion mobility, which are able to separate molecules based not only on their mass but also by their shape. This allows us to see what is going on in biology in much more detail, including information we are able to gain from the shape of molecules that will allow us to solve much more complex questions.”

Pitt concluded: “We are delighted to have this new technology in our lab here at Aston; it will provide us and other researchers in the Midlands with a step change in how we conduct our research.”

Jim Langridge, Innovation, Science and Technology Lead (Waters Corporation) added: “By collaborating with leading researchers like Professor Pitt, we continually advance the science of mass spectrometry, accelerating their research into human health and well-being.”

Sources: www.aston.ac.uk/news/?worlds-first-cyclic-ims-mass-spectrometer-installed-at-aston-university; www.waters.com/waters/en_US/News-Releases/nav.htm?cid=134627991&locale=en_US