How do I get trained on the MALDI-TOF for self-service?
To use the MALDI-TOF, schedule a training on the instrument by emailing pmaf@austin.utexas.edu with an account number and the names and email address of trainees. If you do not have an FBS account, we will set one up with the email address provided. FBS will send you a welcome email, respond to that email.
The training costs $75 (internal rate) and takes 1 hour to go over the basics of MALDI-MS for peptides and proteins. Two people can attend the same training session.
The MALDI-TOF is located in MBB 1.420.
After training, use of the MALDI is via reservation on the FBS MALDI calendar billed at $25/hour for use in data acquisition or reserved time for processing. MALDI spectra take < 1min to acquire, so 50 samples can be run in one hour by the user.
On FBS, select “Proteomics Facility” from the drop-down menu on the upper left to access the MALDI calendar. MALDI is booked in hourly units on the hour.
References:
NYU has a good, short manual for the instrument:
Northwestern does, too, although not all the information applies to UT:
http://imserc.northwestern.edu/downloads/ms-instruments-maldi-autoflex-user-manual.pdf
The UT Chemistry Mass Spec Facility has some information on analyzing polymers. Look under "Walk Up MALDI":
https://sites.google.com/site/utaustinmassspec/documents-links
Bruker
The video below was made by the Bruker service engineer and has some helpful information. It is rather long, though.
