Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics & Metabolomics

The OU Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics & Metabolomics Core Facility operates, maintains, and services numerous mass spectrometers and ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatographs (UPLC). The facility provides a broad range of mass spectrometry (MS) services and is located in the Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center at 101 Stephenson Parkway, Room 1300. The Facility Director, Steven Foster, Ph.D.,  has over 21 years of MS experience and is available to help answer any questions you may have. The Proteomics Director, Nagib Ahsan, Ph.D., recently joined the Department and is an expert in proteomics. Their contact information is below.

Services

Our services include for-fee sample analysis, user run open access instrumentation (after proper training), teaching and education, consulting, and collaborative research projects. The OU Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics & Metabolomics Core Facility operates a single unified service for multiple MS techniques. We specialize in small molecule analysis, metabolomics, proteomics, along with elemental analysis. No matter what your mass spectrometry and HPLC needs are we will try to assist you or direct you to someone who can.

Instruments

• NanoUHPLC / High-Resolution Orbitrap MS (2020)
  The Thermo-Scientific Orbitrap HF-X Hybrid MS with nano UHPLC excels at the most challenging proteomic applications, including high-throughput bottom-up (peptide-based) protein identification, low-abundant PTM analysis, label-free quantitation, and intact protein characterization.
• UHPLC / Q-TOF MS (2021)
  Consists of an Agilent 6546 high-mass-resolution Q-TOF mass spectrometer and an Agilent 1290 UPLC (1200 bar). The Mass Hunter data-control system includes qualitative and quantitative analysis as well as advanced metabolomics software, Mass Profiler Pro. The ultra-high mass resolution and UPLC allows for the separation of more than 1,000 compounds in a single LC/MS run. This system includes Agilent Rapid Fire 365 high-throughput automated sample prep robotics.
• UHPLC / Ion Mobility / Q-TOF MS (2017)
  Comprised of a Waters SYNAPT G2-Si Q-TOF/MS and a Waters M-Class chromatography system that can be set up as micro-flow UPLC or nano-LC. With the new technology of high-efficiency T-Wave ion mobility, we can obtain an additional dimension of separation based on molecular size and shape. The wide range of benefits feature isomer separation, elimination of interferences, generation of cleaner spectra, and the ability to better confirm compound ID.
• ICP MS with Laser Ablation (2018)
  PerkinElmer NexION2000 Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)-MS with Single Cell analysis capability, Elemental Scientific Inc (ESI) - New Wave Research 213 nm Laser Ablation system and ESI prepFAST IC automation with integrated autosampler and LC capability. This system is ideal for analysis of metals in soil, rock surface, bird feathers, bones, plants, and single cell biomedical applications.
• (2) GC / quadrupole MS (2018 & 2019)
  Agilent 6890N gas chromatograph (GC) with an Agilent 5973 Mass Selective Detector (MSD) and electron impact (EI) ion source. This is specific for volatile compounds and gases from 20-600 mass, notably benzenes, alcohols and aromatics. It is often used in toxicology, pesticide analysis, and the oil & gas industry.