Ultra-high mass multimer analysis of protein-1a capping domains by a silicon nanomembrane detector.

Conventional time of flight ion detectors are based on secondary electron multipliers encountering a significant loss in detection efficiency, sensitivity and resolution with protein mass above 50kDa. In this work we employ a silicon nanomembrane detector in a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization coupled to time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. The operating principle relies on phonon-assisted field emission with excellent performance in the high mass range from 0.

Protein species as diagnostic markers.

Unlabelled: Many diseases are associated with protein species perturbations. A prominent example of an established diagnostic marker is the glycated protein species of hemoglobin, termed HbA1c. HbA1c concentration is increased in the blood of diabetes mellitus patients due to their poor control of blood glucose levels resulting in an increased non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin producing HbA1c.