Mass Spectrometry: Applications in the Analysis of Nucleosides,Nucleotides and Oligonucleotides

Abstract

The past ten years have been an exciting time in mass spectrometry as a number of important instrumental developments have revolutionized the field, including the analysis of nucleic acid components.^1,2 The focus of this talk will be on the impact that new ionization methods, e.g., plasma desorption(PD) and fast atom bombardment(FAB), and new magnet technology (expanded mass range and scan speed capability) have had on the analysis of nucleosides and nucleotides. Results from the speaker's laboratory will be used to illustrate the significance of capillary GC/MS techniques for the separation and analysis of complex mixtures of nucleosides derived from a biological source. In addition, some approaches being developed to overcome current limitations in the FAB analysis of nucleosides and nucleotides will be described. Unfortunately, time does not permit a discussion of other new areas of interest, i.e., LC/MS³ and MS/MS.⁴