Addressing Sample Complexity with High Resolution Ion Mobility (HRIM)-Mass Spectrometry

High resolution ion mobility (HRIM) based on structures for lossless ion manipulation (SLIM) has provided new analytical capabilities for resolving components of complex samples with high sensitivity and throughput.  A recently-developed production prototype SLIM HRIM-MS has allowed these advanced technologies to be accessible by researchers investigating a myriad of chemical challenges. Here, we describe this SLIM HRIM-MS platform and present the results of evaluating this instrument's performance.  Our findings benchmark the resolving power between 200-300 across the full range of masses evaluated (m/z ~300-3000). We demonstrate the application of HRIM for resolving several isomeric systems including peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids, as well as multiple isobaric/isomeric signals encountered in crude biological extracts.  Importantly, unlike some strategies for achieving high ion mobility resolution, the SLIM HRIM is capable of performing at full resolution within a fast-dispersive timescale (<2seconds), which facilitates high-throughput sample analyses and has potential for online coupling with additional analytical stages (e.g., LC and tandem MS/MS).  In addition to describing the benefits of HRIM for complex sample analyses and the benchmarking results, current and future prospects for HRIM will be discussed.

What can you expect to learn by watching?

• HRIM provides resolving power between 200-300 over the mass range of m/z 300-3000
• HRIM is able to resolve isobaric and isomeric species in crude biological extracts
• HRIM enables high throughput sample analysis