Post-source decay analysis in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of biomolecules†

An introduction to primary structure analysis of biomolecules by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) post-source decay (PSD) is given, sketching the principles and applications of the method for scientists in molecular biology, biochemistry and biomedicine. The fundamentals of PSD are described in order to explain the potential and limitations of its applicability. Two examples of peptide sequencing of a completely unknown peptide and of a database-listed peptide are presented and the procedure of (non-automated) amino acid sequence elucidation is described. 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.