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When it comes to pursuing breakthroughs in proteomics research, there’s no such thing as too much scanning speed, as long as data quality remains high.

Addressing this demand is the latest addition to the best-selling Q Exactive family of Thermo Scientific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems, the Thermo Scientific Q Exactive HF instrument.

The Thermo Scientific Q Exactive HF system made its debut at the 62^nd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics. To create the new Q Exactive HF system, Thermo Fisher Scientific added an ultra-high-field Orbitrap mass analyzer to the proven Q Exactive Plus LC-MS platform. It is designed for faster identification, characterization, quantification, and confirmation in a single, high-confidence analysis. Maximum scanning rate increases from 12 Hz to 18 Hz significantly accelerate productivity. Company-conducted experiments have demonstrated the Q Exactive HF can provide complete MS/MS identification for 18 scans in one second, compared to half that number using the previous Q Exactive systems for the same duration gradient, without compromising data quality. Maximum resolution is 240,000 at m/z 200.

“The peptide sequencing speed of the new Q Exactive HF system is amazing,” said Professor Jesper V. Olsen of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, an early-access user. “For shotgun analysis of human proteomes, we now can obtain the same data in half the time. We can therefore analyze many more cell conditions than before.”

Advanced Quadrupole Technology optimizes precursor selection and transmission for excellent detection of low-abundance ions in very complex matrices. Advanced active ion beam guide design enhances sensitivity and robustness. Quantitation capabilities include: selected ion monitoring, parallel reaction monitoring and data-independent acquisition. An optional intact protein mode enhances analysis of intact proteins.

“For data-independent acquisition, we need to balance precursor selectivity, duty cycle, and the target mass range of interest,” said Professor Michael MacCoss of the University of Washington School of Medicine, another early access user. “The Q Exactive HF instrument enables us to substantially improve the precursor selectivity without affecting the other parameters of the experiment. Ultimately, this improves the sensitivity and quantitative dynamic range in a complex mixture.”

“Orbitrap technology is evolving to become faster, better performing and more accessible,” said Iain Mylchreest, vice president, R&D, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We’re pleased to make the performance of the newest Orbitrap analyzer available to Q Exactive HF customers.”

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