Areas of Expertise


 

Modified nucleosides

 

There are over 150 known post transcriptional modifications identified with more being discovered each year. Ranging from a simple methylation to complex hyper-modifications, the chemistry of these molecules is rich and diverse. From purified RNA samples to biofluids, we use high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry coupled to ultra high performance liquid chromatography (HRAM-UHPLC-MS/MS) to separate, identify and characterize these diverse molecules. Our proprietary strategy ensures that the feature detected in a sample is the target molecule.


Oligonucleotide mass mapping

 

Placing a modification within the sequence context is difficult for an intact RNA. We use base specific nucleases to cleave the RNA into oligonucleotides. These small oligonucleotides are separated by UHPLC and analyzed by HRAM-MS/MS. The oligonucletide ion is further fragmented in a collision cell containing a neutral gas using an optimized protocol. The collision of the oligonucleotide with the collision gas leads to specific fragments. The analysis of the fragmentation products allows us to map modified nucleosides into the sequence of the oligonucleotide.