> I need some advice and help for a friend. The investigators here would
> like a MS facility where their own technicians and post-docs could run
> their own samples 24 hrs a day at a reduced cost. They also want someone
> experienced to help them in the design of experiments. Some of the things
> they want to do would be simple and some would be very difficult.
>
>
> I would like to hear some pros and cons of a walkup from those that have
> tried it. I would like some specifics please. We really need your
> expertise.
>
> Lisa
>
I direct the joint Analytical Core laboratory for the Center for
Toxicology and the Arizona Cancer Center here at the University of
Arizona. We have a Finnigan TSQ7000 and will soon have a Finnigan
LCQ. We found that the TSQ was a superb instrument for our diverse
service load (proteins, peptides, natural products, drug metabolites,
macromolecule-carcinogen adducts, etc.). However, the data system is
very complex and prevents all but well-trained users from taking real
advantage of the instrument. Dr. Tom McClure, the Analytical Core
facility manager was highly experienced in Finnigan ICIS data systems
and ended up doing virtually all the work. Most of our clients were
somewhat regular users, but did not make frequent enough use of the
TSQ to maintain operational effectiveness on the data system.
Our solution was to write our own Open Access software for the TSQ
(we'll soon use this on the LCQ as well). Tom did the writing,
BTW. Users operate from a PC in the lab, rather than the DEC Alpha
console. The software runs under Windows NT and offers a one-page
main page. Users enter name, sample, account and billing info (the
system is tied in to our billing setup). They then select from
normal scan, product ion scan (daughter ion scan), precursor (parent
) scan, constant neutral loss scan, selected ion monitoring, selected
reaction monitoring, or multiple reaction monitoring. For each case
they are prompted for the most basic parameters (e.g., positive or
negative ion detection, link mass, collision energy (a default
setting is provided that works for most things)). They place their
sample in the indicated place/places in the autosampler and click
"Analyze". The program generates instrument control commands and
does the analyses. The data go to disk and clients can go back to
their offices and log on to our server to review, process, and
archive their data.
This setup has been a Godsend. We started using it in January 1997
and we doubled our productivity over the past year. It takes users
(undergrad/grad students, postdocs, professors, even MDs) about 15
min to learn the setup. Now, virtually everyone who does LC-MS work
in the Analytical core runs their own samples.
This is a long answer to the question of whether a "walkup" facility
is possible. It certainly is, and it doesn't have to be limited to
MALDI. MS labs have acquired a deservedly bad reputation over the
years for making instrumentation inaccessable to biologists.
Implementation of Open Access and related setups will make this
technology available to the users.
I apologize for the long post, but I think we have found a very good
way to get a lot out of our LC-MS instruments and I wanted colleagues
with related interests to know about it. I'd be happy to discuss
further off-line.
Back to lurk mode.
Cheers,
Dan
Dan Liebler
liebler@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
College of Pharmacy
University of Arizona
PO Box 210207
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0207
(520)626-4488
(520)626-2466 FAX