A practical interface for microfluidics and nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry

On-Chip Spyhole Nanoelectrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Sensitive Biomarker Detection in Small Volumes

A polyimide microfluidic chip with a microhole emitter (Ø 10-12 μm) created on top of a microchannel by scanning laser ablation has been designed for nanoelectrospray ionization (spyhole-nanoESI) to couple microfluidics with mass spectrometry. The spyhole-nanoESI showed higher sensitivity compared to standard ESI and microESI from the end of the microchannel. The limits of detection (LOD) for peptide with the spyhole-nanoESI MS reached 50 pM, which was 600 times lower than that with standard ESI. The present microchip emitter allows the analysis of small volumes of samples. As an example, a small cell lung cancer biomarker, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), was detected by monitoring the transition of its unique peptide with the spyhole-nanoESI MS/MS. NSE at 0.2 nM could be well identified with a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 50, and thereby its LOD was estimated to be 12 pM. The potential application of the spyhole-nanoESI MS/MS in cancer diagnosis was further demonstrated with the successful detection of 2 nM NSE from 1 μL of human serum. Before the detection, the serum sample spiked with NSE was first depleted with immune spin column, then desalted by centrifugal filter device, and finally digested by trypsin, without any other complicated preparation steps. The concentration matched the real condition of clinical samples. In addition, the microchips can be disposable to avoid any cross contamination. The present technique provides a highly efficient way to couple microfluidics with MS, which brings additional values to various microfluidics and MS-based analysis. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Tracking matrix effects in the analysis of DNA adducts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

LC-MS using electrospray ionization is currently the method of choice in bio-organic analysis covering a wide range of applications in a broad spectrum of biological media. The technique is noted for its high sensitivity but one major limitation that hinders achievement of its optimal sensitivity is the signal suppression due to matrix inferences introduced by the presence of co-extracted compounds during the sample preparation procedure. The analysis of DNA adducts of common environmental carcinogens is particularly sensitive to such matrix effects as sample preparation is a multistep process which involves "contamination" of the sample due to the addition of enzymes and other reagents for digestion of the DNA in order to isolate the analyte(s). This problem is further exacerbated by the need to reach low levels of quantitation (LOQ in the ppb level) while also working with limited (2-5 μg) quantities of sample. We report here on the systematic investigation of ion signal suppression contributed by each individual step involved in the sample preparation associated with the analysis of DNA adducts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) using as model analyte BaP-dG, the deoxyguanosine (dG) adduct of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The individual matrix contribution of each one of these sources to analyte signal was systematically addressed as were any interactive effects. The information was used to develop a validated analytical protocol for the target biomarker at levels typically encountered in vivo using as little as 2 μg of DNA and applied to a dose response study using a metabolically competent cell line.

Advances in coupling microfluidic chips to mass spectrometry

Microfluidic technology has shown advantages of low sample consumption, reduced analysis time, high throughput, and potential for integration and automation. Coupling microfluidic chips to mass spectrometry (Chip-MS) can greatly improve the overall analytical performance of MS-based approaches and expand their potential applications. In this article, we review the advances of Chip-MS in the past decade, covering innovations in microchip fabrication, microchips coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MS. Development of integrated microfluidic systems for automated MS analysis will be further documented, as well as recent applications of Chip-MS in proteomics, metabolomics, cell analysis, and clinical diagnosis.

Parylene-matrix chip for small molecule analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

In matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS), analyte molecules are known to be ionized by mixing with organic matrix molecules. As the organic matrix molecules are ionized, they generate unreproducible mass peaks such that MALDI-TOF MS is nearly impossible in the low mass-to-charge (m/z) range (<1000). In this work, we aimed to develop a parylene-matrix chip for the detection of small molecules in the low m/z range by using MALDI-TOF MS.

METHODS

The parylene-matrix chip was fabricated by the deposition of a partially porous parylene-N thin film on a dried organic matrix array. The properties of the parylene thin film were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Mass spectrometry was performed by using a parylene-matrix chip with eight amino acids as model analytes.

RESULTS

The surface roughness and the electric conductivity of the parylene-N film were analyzed by AFM and CV analysis to determine its suitability for a parylene-matrix chip. The ionization of samples on the parylene-matrix chip was optimized by adjusting the laser intensity. The feasibility of applying a parylene-matrix chip for small molecule analysis was tested by using eight kinds of amino acids as model analytes and the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes from the amino acid mixture was also demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

The parylene-matrix chip can be applied for the detection of multiple analytes in the m/z ratio range of small molecules (<1000) using MALDI-TOF MS.

The proteomic future: where mass spectrometry should be taking us

A newcomer to the -omics era, proteomics, is a broad instrument-intensive research area that has advanced rapidly since its inception less than 20 years ago. Although the 'wet-bench' aspects of proteomics have undergone a renaissance with the improvement in protein and peptide separation techniques, including various improvements in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and gel-free or off-gel protein focusing, it has been the seminal advances in MS that have led to the ascension of this field. Recent improvements in sensitivity, mass accuracy and fragmentation have led to achievements previously only dreamed of, including whole-proteome identification, and quantification and extensive mapping of specific PTMs (post-translational modifications). With such capabilities at present, one might conclude that proteomics has already reached its zenith; however, 'capability' indicates that the envisioned goals have not yet been achieved. In the present review we focus on what we perceive as the areas requiring more attention to achieve the improvements in workflow and instrumentation that will bridge the gap between capability and achievement for at least most proteomes and PTMs. Additionally, it is essential that we extend our ability to understand protein structures, interactions and localizations. Towards these ends, we briefly focus on selected methods and research areas where we anticipate the next wave of proteomic advances.

A digital microfluidic method for dried blood spot analysis

Blood samples stored as dried blood spots (DBSs) are emerging as a useful sampling and storage vehicle for a wide range of applications. Unfortunately, the surging popularity of DBS samples has not yet been accompanied by an improvement in automated techniques for extraction and analysis. As a first step towards overcoming this challenge, we have developed a prototype microfluidic system for quantification of amino acids in dried blood spots, in which analytes are extracted, mixed with internal standards, derivatized, and reconstituted for analysis by (off-line and in-line) tandem mass spectrometry. The new method is fast, robust, precise, and most importantly, compatible with automation. We propose that the new method can potentially contribute to a new generation of analytical techniques for quantifying analytes in DBS samples for a wide range of applications.

Pharmacokinetic applications of microdevices and microsampling techniques

Pharmacokinetic studies require information regarding drug concentration at numerous time points during the process of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. In order to obtain reproducible and good-quality data, the sampling method is as important as the bioanalytical method. A further difficulty in performing pharmacokinetic studies is related to the limited amount of sample that can be collected in some cases. Since analytical methods should interfere as little as possible with the investigated organism, microsampling techniques are a natural choice for pharmacokinetic studies. Accordingly, microdevices and microsampling approaches have been used increasingly in recent years for a wide variety of analytical applications, including analysis of drugs in biological samples. Such techniques not only reduce the amount of reagents needed for analysis, but are also faster and less disrupting. This review provides a brief overview of contemporary microsampling techniques: collection of small sample aliquots, ultrafiltration, microdialysis, solid-phase microextraction, biosensors and microfluidics. It is concluded that recent developments in microsampling and microdevices promise to streamline pharmacokinetic studies and bring bedside monitoring of therapeutic drugs into clinical practice.

Folded emitters for nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) has revolutionized mass spectrometry (MS), providing a facile method for the ionization of macromolecules for analysis by mass. The development of nanoESI-MS has further extended the utility of ESI-MS, permitting the analysis of small-volume samples with enhanced sensitivity over conventional ESI-MS. Traditional nanoESI-MS experiments use pulled-glass capillary emitters, which are expensive to purchase and require specialized instruments and training to fabricate in-house. Furthermore, these emitters suffer from problems including clogging, sample contamination, and irreproducible spray stability. Here, we report a new emitter for nanoESI-MS, made by folding small pieces of polyimide tape. In comparison with conventional pulled-glass capillary emitters, the new emitters are inexpensive and simple to make. Their low cost makes them disposable after a single use, such that sample contamination or clogging is never a problem. Emitter performance has been evaluated for diverse analytes encompassing a large mass range, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, and synthetic polymers. In all cases, the performance is similar to that of pulled-glass capillary emitters, with the advantages of low cost, ease of use, and disposability.

Three-dimensional large-scale microfluidic integration by laser ablation of interlayer connections

Multilayer Soft Lithography (MSL) is a robust and mature fabrication technique for the rapid prototyping of microfluidic circuits having thousands of integrated valves. Despite the success and wide application of this method, it is fundamentally a planar fabrication technique which imposes serious design constraints on channel routing, feature density, and fluid handling complexity. We present here methods and related instrumentation to remove these limitations by combining the advantages of MSL processing with laser micromachining using a CO(2) laser ablation system. This system is applied to both the dense integration of layer-layer interconnects and the direct writing of microchannels. Real-time image recognition and computer control allow for robust wafer-scale registration of laser ablation features with moulded channel structures. Ablation rates of up to 8 Hz are achieved with positional accuracy of approximately 20 microm independent of mechanical distortions in the elastomer substrate. We demonstrate these capabilities in the design and fabrication of a production scale multi-laminate micromixer that achieves sub-millisecond mixing of two streams at flow rates up to 1 mL min(-1). The marriage of laser micromachining with MSL-based valve integration allows for high-yield fabrication of topologically complex microfluidic circuits having thousands of layer-layer interconnects and integrated valves.

Microchip technology in mass spectrometry

Microfabrication of analytical devices is currently of growing interest and many microfabricated instruments have also entered the field of mass spectrometry (MS). Various (atmospheric pressure) ion sources as well as mass analyzers have been developed exploiting microfabrication techniques. The most common approach thus far has been the miniaturization of the electrospray ion source and its integration with various separation and sampling units. Other ionization techniques, mainly atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and photoionization, have also been subject to miniaturization, though they have not attracted as much attention. Likewise, all common types of mass analyzers have been realized by microfabrication and, in most cases, successfully applied to MS analysis in conjunction with on-chip ionization. This review summarizes the latest achievements in the field of microfabricated ion sources and mass analyzers. Representative applications are reviewed focusing on the development of fully microfabricated systems where ion sources or analyzers are integrated with microfluidic separation devices or microfabricated pums and detectors, respectively. Also the main microfabrication methods, with their possibilities and constraints, are briefly discussed together with the most commonly used materials.

Performance of HPLC/MS microchips in isocratic and gradient elution modes

We analyzed the chromatographic performance of particle-packed, all-polyimide high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) microchips in terms of their hydraulic permeabilities and separation efficiency under isocratic and gradient elution conditions. The separation channels of the chips (with ca 50 microm x 75 microm trapezoidal cross-section and a length of 43 mm) were slurry packed with either 3.5 or 5 microm spherical porous C18-silica particles. A custom-built holder enveloped the chip during packing to prevent channel deformation and delamination from high pressures. It is shown that the packing conditions significantly impact the packing density of the HPLC/MS chips, which determines their performance in both, isocratic and gradient elution modes. Even with steep solvent gradients, peak shape and chromatographic resolution for the densely packed HPLC/MS chips are much improved. Our data show that the analytical power of the HPLC/MS chip is limited by the quality of the chromatographic separation.

A microfluidic reactor for rapid, low-pressure proteolysis with on-chip electrospray ionization

A microfluidic reactor that enables rapid digestion of proteins prior to on-line analysis by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is introduced. The device incorporates a wide (1.5 cm), shallow (10 microm) reactor 'well' that is functionalized with pepsin-agarose, a design that facilitates low-pressure operation and high clogging resistance. Electrospray ionization is carried out directly from a short metal capillary integrated into the chip outlet. Fabrication, involving laser ablation of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is exceedingly straightforward and inexpensive. High sequence coverage spectra of myoglobin (Mb), ubiquitin (Ub) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) digests were obtained after <4 s of residence time in the reactor. Stress testing showed little loss of performance over approximately 2 h continuous use at high flow rates (30 microL/min). The device provides a convenient platform for a range of applications in proteomics and structural biology, i.e. to enable high-throughput workflows or to limit back-exchange in spatially resolved hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) experiments.

Microchip electrospray performance during gradient elution with bulk conductivity changes

This work identifies dynamic changes in bulk conductivity during reversed-phase HPLC gradient elution as a major source for spray mode changes and instabilities observed in ESI-MS. A commercial microchip-HPLC/ESI-MS configuration was modified to enable electrospray diagnostics based on frequency analysis of the microchip emitter current combined with spray imaging. This approach facilitated detection of different spray modes together with their onset potentials. Water/acetonitrile mixtures containing formic acid were selected as the electrosprayed solutions to represent typical conditions in reversed-phase HPLC. Experimental data are complemented by computational fluid dynamics simulations, treating the electrosprayed solution as leaky dielectric fluid, to address the influence of bulk conductivity and applied potential difference on the developing cone-jet morphology and stability.

A versatile microfluidic chip for millisecond time-scale kinetic studies by electrospray mass spectrometry

An electrospray coupled microfluidic reactor for the measurement of millisecond time-scale, solution phase kinetics is introduced. The device incorporates a simple two-channel design that is etched into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by laser ablation. The outlet of the device is laser cut to a sharp tip, facilitating low dead volume 'on chip' electrospray. Fabrication is fast, straightforward and highly reproducible, supporting rapid prototyping and large-scale reproduction. Device performance is characterized using a cytochrome c unfolding reaction. Unfolding processes with rates in excess of 30 s(-1) are easily measured, including the appearance of a 'native-like' intermediate that is maximally populated 180 ms post reaction initiation. To extract reliable rates from the data, a theoretical framework for the analysis of kinetics acquired under square-channel laminar flow is introduced.