Sequencing and characterization of larger oligonucleotides by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Abstract

The rapidly emerging technique of electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI-FTICR) mass spectrometry is reviewed with respect to DNA-related analyses. The focus of this review is mainly the analysis of intact molecular ions that are generated using enzymatic methods (e.g., Sanger cycle sequencing chain termination products) with some emphasis placed on multistage MS. Although this review is dedicated to ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry, several other important issues of direct relevance, including sample preparation techniques and mathematical methods for mass spectrometry, are presented.