MALDI target for improved analysis of complex proteomics samples

described. The new AnchorChipTM target provides substantial improvements to the LC-MALDI analysis of complex biological samples. The MTP AnchorChip 1536 TF can accommodate fractions collected from an extended LC gradient (up to four hours) or, alternatively, from multiple shorter LC gradients spotted in sequence. Complete MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis of all the spotted fractions can be easily achieved within a single run without the need of target exchange. This provides significant improvements regarding utilization of the high throughput capacity offered by high speed MALDI-TOF/TOF systems such as Bruker ́s ultrafleXtremeTM. Applying expanded LC gradients to the LC-MALDI analysis of complex proteomics samples leads to an improved depth of analysis resulting in a higher number of protein IDs and peptide assignments. In the benchmark example shown here, a single injection of 500 ng E.coli cell lysate digested with trypsin yielded more than 900 protein IDs based on more than 6000 assigned peptides.