Bruker Announces Powerful New Mass Spectrometry Systems and Solutions

At the 61st ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Bruker has announced mass spectrometry-based product introductions for life-science and clinical research, for biotech/pharma/CRO customers, as well as for industrial and applied markets.

The new mass spectrometry systems and solutions are designed to deliver confident analyses with dramatically enhanced resolution, sensitivity and precision.

The analytical utility of extreme performance will be presented in Bruker's users' symposium, breakfast workshops, and hospitality suite with emphasis on the following market/applications areas: systems biology, proteomics and metabolomics; biologics & pharmaceuticals; MALDI molecular imaging for pathology research and drug development; petroleomics, energy and industrial applications; applied markets including food, forensics and environmental analysis; as well as MALDI Biotyper-based clinical microbiology.

New Bruker products introduced at ASMS 2013 include:

SolariX™ XR:
With the scientifically acclaimed ParaCell™ as its core technology, the solariX XR FTMS (Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry) system is redefining the way researchers approach chemical analysis by utilizing the concept of eXtreme Resolution throughout a wide variety of analytical workflows.

Combining the ParaCell with advanced processing technology enables the solariX XR to provide resolving powers of greater than 650,000 in a 1 second acquisition (at m/z 400) for routine LC/MS or MALDI imaging experiments, and ultimately over 10 million resolving power for the most challenging complex mixture applications, from top-down proteomics, to petroleomics and dissolved-organic matter (DOM) analysis, to eXtreme Resolution MALDI imaging.

This is a powerful advance in the mass spectrometry and provides access to previously hidden insights, and to chemical information never accessible before with mass spectrometry.

For the first time, chemists can 'read' the specific molecular formula for detected compounds from the eXtreme Resolution mass spectrum - essentially with certainty. This concept is especially relevant for metabolomics or workflows where information about the chemical genesis of a compound is not known, quantities available are not sufficient for other analytical methods, and all high-sensitivity information must be determined from mass spectral data alone.

Dr. Charles Cheng of Pfizer's Development Analytical division commented: "The isotopic fine structure that is easily revealed by the extreme resolution of the new solariX XR is of tremendous value for structural elucidation on unknowns. This fundamentally new ability to gain complete confidence in assignment of elemental formula perfectly complements our internal NMR activities at Pfizer. MALDI -FTMS was also surprisingly useful for small molecule analysis, enabling rapid high-throughput screening for statistically based impurity analysis at extreme resolution."

This novel eXtreme resolution platform is made easily applicable to a wide variety of applications by leveraging the Bruker portfolio of industry-leading MS analysis software solutions and ionization sources, such as CaptiveSpray for robust, high-sensitivity capillary and nano-flow applications.

The solariX XR features an advanced dual-source ion funnel which allows effortless (~5s) changeover from API (ESI or APCI) to MALDI, thus enabling workflows such as MALDI imaging, automation for high-throughput screening (96-384 well targets) and top-down MALDI sequencing to supplement ETD and ECD sequencing of large biomolecules.

The robust ion optics design of solariX XR combined with intuitive FTMS Control software results in a user interface that allows effortless, record-breaking performance. Advanced processing and mining of information-rich data sets is performed automatically and on-the-fly using Bruker applications platforms including: new flex Imaging 4.0 for MALDI imaging, Profile Analysis for statistical treatment of complex data sets, and Data Analysis with Smart Formula XR for automated interpretation of isotopic fine structure for exact elemental formula determination.

Impact™ HD and CaptiveSpray™ NanoBooster™ Source:
The new Impact HD is the latest innovation in Bruker's unique UHR-QqTOF (Ultra-High Resolution Qq-Time-Of-Flight) mass spectrometry product line with industry-leading >40,000 Full-Sensitivity Resolution (FSR). It opens up enhanced analytical performance levels for all applications where trace analysis from complex, high-background matrices is a challenge - such as biomarker research, identification of impurities or residue screening.

Thanks to its extreme sensitivity, broad mass-transfer ion optics and the fastest 50 Gbit/sec sampling technology, a dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude is achieved at UHPLC speeds, with up to 50 Hz MS/MS capabilities. This is a prerequisite for high-resolution, accurate mass detection of low abundance compounds in nano- and UHPLC peaks.

Moreover, the Impact HD comes equipped with unique Instant Expertise™ software: intelligent self-optimizing MS/MS acquisition establishes optimal experimental conditions that are independent of sample amount or complexity. This translates into higher productivity and expert-caliber results - the first time!

In combination with the impact HD, Bruker also introduces the novel CaptiveSpray nanoBooster™ for new performance levels in proteomics and glycoanalysis. This newest version of Bruker's highly regarded CaptiveSpray ion source with proprietary dopant-enriched ionization boosts nano-flow sensitivity, and drives up protein and peptide ID rates significantly.

The emphasis of higher charge states and its sensitivity gain also provide highest ETD sensitivity with Bruker's amaZon ETD ion trap mass spectrometer, and allow for the analysis of low-level glycopeptides that were previously not measurable.

"Highest dynamic range really is compelling for proteomics analysis when it can genuinely be delivered at UHPLC speeds," commented Dr. Carsten Bässmann, Bruker's Head of ESI Applications Development. "At ASMS 2013, we can for this first time show the unique identification of more than 8,440 proteins at a low false discovery rate (FDR) below 1%, in a proteomics sample, using an integrated workflow combining 2D-LC separations with a CaptiveSpray nanoBooster™ source on our new impact HD system."

EVOQ™ Elite ER:
The new EVOQ Elite ER highlights the premiere of LC/MS/MS triple-quadrupole (TQ) technology from Bruker at ASMS. The new EVOQ Elite ER is the latest addition to the EVOQ family of LC-TQ systems, with an extended mass range to 2,000 m/z, for peptide quantitation or other high m/z applications.

The EVOQ LC-TQ platform features major innovations:
• the industry's first Vacuum-Insulated Probe (VIP™) heated electrospray ionization (HESI) source preserves and ionizes thermally fragile molecules without discrimination and with outstanding sensitivity
• the Active Exhaust atmospheric pressure ionization source with a robust orifice vacuum interface significantly enhances quantitative robustness for difficult samples
• flat-tuning, proprietary Interlaced Quadrupole Dual Funnel (IQ-DF™) maximizes sensitivity
• Bruker's patented lens-free triple-quad mass filter design enhances MRM ease and performance
• novel PACER™ software enables exception-based data-review, a revolutionary feature that significantly reduces the error rate for quantitative analysis;

All EVOQ LC-TQ systems incorporate Bruker's new Advance™ Ultra-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) systems. The Advance HPLC, UHPLC, and the UHPLC-OLE (on-line extraction) products offer ultra-low dead volume, which enables excellent reproducibility at analytical flow-rates, an integrated column-oven, and bench-space savings.

Paired with the industry-leading CTC auto-sampler, the EVOQ LC-TQ delivers the precision and accuracy required for sustained, high-sensitivity LC-MRM quantitative analysis.

Rohan Thakur, Ph.D., Vice President and General Manager of Bruker's Quadrupole MS Business, stated: "The debut of the EVOQ LC-TQ at ASMS marks the first time that Bruker has brought LC triple quad technology to the premiere meeting for mass spectrometry. The key innovations in the EVOQ systems are designed to erase the pain points in today's high volume applied markets laboratories. Laboratories supporting food testing (pesticide residues or adulterants), environmental labs (industrial pollutants or personal care products), or toxicology (drug testing/doping, pain management) will benefit from the superior performance of the EVOQ family. Bruker's commitment to driving Innovation with Integrity is not just a tagline, it is our core philosophy."