Training

The mass spec lab personnel provide ISU's researchers with a proper training to use the Magnum GC/MS, Bruker Proflex MALDI-TOF, Shimadzu LC/MS, and the Finnigan TSQ700.

MALDI Training:

1. prepare your sample target. Use the wet lab if you elect to. We have all the necessary chemicals and devices for that task.
2. login to the SUN computer.
3. After the sample target is dry, insert the probe into the mass spectrometer.
4. Wait few minutes for the vacuum gage to reach the set point (6.5 10^-6 torr).
5. Login to the OS9. This window should appear when login to the Sun computer. It should take the OS9 computer 6s to connect. If it is not 6s, please let me know. NEVER close the OS9 window. Please proceed in the following manner when quitting the OS9 program:
   Type: Q  2 times and then type: logout
6. If the login to the OS9 is successful (6s), then iconize the OS9 window and proceed to 7.
7. Turn ON high voltage
8. Click on Voltage button located in the XACQ window. Make sure that the desired values are displayed by the program.
9. Set your conditions:
   • you can recall previous parameter file from XACQ4.0 subwindow in order to use an existing parameter file:
     from XACQ subwindow: File-Parameters File-double click on the desired file-click all classes-apply. Close window.
   • you can set new parameters and save the file as new file:
     from XACQ subwindow: File-Parameters File-get current-save. close.
10. XACQ control panel: set the desired number of shots, repetitive rate for laser, and adjust the cursor for laser attenuation (60% for peptides, about 30% for proteins).
11. chose the target holder
12. click on start to fire the laser and record data. stop the firing when desired.
13. Save data: usually the data is saved in your directory which is /export/home/user/data. The last saved data will roll automatically to the Xtof program. Process your data and print.

Magnum training:

The Magnum training consists of three steps:

-First, students are given a one hour seminar. This seminar is focused on the principle of GC/MS using an ion trap detector.
-The second part of this training is dedicated to the computer based training FMTRAIN. This software is provided by Finnigan Corp. and is used to help the users to be familiar with the software.
-Finally, students are trained (on one to one basis) on how actually to operate the instrument. We recommend that students bring their sample mixture.