Instruments, Services & Rates

This page summarizes the costs associated with each instrument. The facility offers the following services:

All rates are:

• per injection if run by MSF personnel.
• per sample if run by users on the Agilent GC-MS.
• per hour if run by user on theBruker rapifleX  MALDI (with a minimum charge of 1 hour), and the Advion CMS (with a minimum charge of 15 minutes).
• Per hour of gradient on the Q-Exactive (with a minimum charge of 1 hour)

Please note that you can get access to the user rates even if the MSF is running the samples by provide "ready to run" samples and analyze the raw data on your own.

Complex analysis may require specific kits and procedures (e.g., proteomics). In this case, please contact the facility for a more accurate estimate of your experiment's costs.

NOTE: Q-Exactive rates are indicative until the 2024-2025 rates are approved

Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive

Services: Proteomics (labelled, unlabelled, targeted and untargeted)

The Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive mass spectrometer is coupled to a Thermo Scientific Vanquish Neo nanoLC system and it is dedicated to bottom up proteomics. This platform was established with funds from the 2018 Comprehensive Enhancement Board of Regents grant titled "Enhancing the Capabilities of the Shared Laboratory for Macro- and Bio-Macromolecular Research [SLMBR]” (PI Dr. Mario Rivera, Chemistry), and further enhanced with funding from the 2023 Targeted Enhancement Board of Regents grant titled "A New Multi-Flow Liquid Chromatography System for State-of-the-Art LC-MS/MS Proteomics Research". Samples that can be analyzed with this system range from single protein gel band to complex cell and tissue lysates.

To provide accessible rates for complex proteomics experiments, we build sample preparation kits tailored to the specific needs of the experiment. Please contact us to discuss your experiment and we will provide estimates based on the specific details of your research.

Waters Synapt XS

Services: Metabolomics and lipidomics (targeted and untargeted), HRMS, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS

The Waters Synapt XS platform comprises a Quadrupole Time of Flight mass spectrometer with ion mobility capabilities coupled to a Acquity premiere UPLC system. The platform was established with a 2022 NIH S10 grant (1S10OD030429-01A1, PI Dr. Kermit Murray, Chemistry). The system is designed to provide state-of-the-art metabolomics and lipidomics capabilities with both RP and HILIC separation options. The platform relies on Progenesis QI for automated data analysis, including statistical evaluation of the experiments.

Bruker rapifleX MALDI TOF/TOF

Services: MALDI, LDI and Mass Spec Imaging

The Bruker rapifleX MALDI TOF/TOF Tissuetyper platform comprises a MALDI TOF/TOF instrument with an innovative 3D smartbeam laser and a 5 GSample/second detector. In addition, the platform includes a HTX 3+ automatic sprayer for matrix deposition, and SCilS software for automated data analysis of MALDI imaging data. The platform was established with a 2022 NSF MRI grant (2215823, PI Dr. Kermit Murray, Chemistry). The rapifleX is the fastest MALDI instrument built and can provide "true pixel" (=entire pixel area is analyzed) MS imaging capabilities down to 20 µm pixel size. The system also allows precise analysis of target molecules by means of tandem MS acquisition, which is available also in imaging mode.

Bruker Amazon Speed ETD Ion Trap

Services: LC-MS and LC-MS/MS

This ion trap mass spectrometer is among the fastest on the market. It can be equipped with an ESI ion source or a Captive Spray ion source for nanospray analysis at increased sensitivity. The mass spectrometer is coupled to a Dionex Ultimate 3000 LC system. The system is mainly used for fast chromatography MS and tandem MS analysis, with a focus on small molecules quantification and protein MW determination.

GC-MS

Services: volatile small molecules analysis

Through a collaboration with the teaching units of the Chemistry department the MSF offers also GC-MS single quad analysis capabilities. Please contact us for more information.

Advion CMS platform with PlateExpress TLC reader 

Services: Direct MS (low res) and TLC plate extraction

The Advion CMS system is a multisource platform that include a TLC extraction plate, thus making it the ideal solution for quick characterization of complex organic mixtures. The availability of ESI, APCI, and ASAP ionization makes it possible to ionize a broad range of chemicals in conditions that other instrument are not able to accommodate (e.g., high amount of organic solvents such as ethylacetate or dichloromethane). This instrument allows extraction of a spot from a TLC plate, which is a unique feature of this platform.

Other MS services

The LSU MSF offers data analysis and sample preparation services such as buffer exchange, proteomics sample preparation, SPE purification and others. Further details and exact costs of each kit can be requested by contacting the facility.