Making Mass Spectrometry See the Light: The Promises and Challenges of Cryogenic Infrared Ion Spectroscopy as a Bioanalytical Technique

• DOI: 10.1007/s13361-016-1366-4
• Publication Date: 2016-03-18T20:59:48Z
• Authors: Adam P. Cismesia; Laura S. Bailey; Matthew R. Bell; Larry F. Tesler; Nicolas C. Polfer
• Keywords: Bioanalysis

The detailed chemical information contained in the vibrational spectrum of a cryogenically cooled analyte ion would, principle, make infrared (IR) spectroscopy gold standard technique for molecular identification mass spectrometry. Despite this immense potential, there are considerable challenges both instrumentation and methodology to overcome before is analytically useful. Here, we discuss promise IR small molecule analysis context metabolite identification. Experimental strategies address sensitivity constraints, poor overall duty cycle, speed experiment intimately tied development mass-selective cryogenic trap. Therefore, most likely avenues success, authors' opinion, presented here, alongside alternative approaches some thoughts on data interpretation.