Analytical services
Conestoga's Bio Hub is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, enabling comprehensive molecular analysis and supporting a wide range of research applications.
Equipment and instrumentation
Instrumentation:
- Orbitrap LC-MS
- HPLC
- ICP-MS
- GC-MS
- Extraction equipment
- Separation and fractionation equipment
Contact Conestoga's Bio Hub for the complete list of equipment and instrumentation.
Research applications
The advanced high-resolution mass detection capabilities of our instruments make Conestoga's Bio Hub ideal for a variety of applications:
- Proteomics: Identification and quantification of proteins, including post-translational modifications and protein-protein interactions.
- Metabolomics: Analysis of metabolites in biological samples, aiding in the study of metabolic pathways and biomarker discovery.
- Biopharmaceutical characterization: Detailed characterization of biopharmaceuticals, such as monoclonal antibodies, including intact mass analysis, subunit analysis, and peptide mapping.
- Environmental testing: Separation, identification, and quantification of chemical compounds, biomolecules, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, elemental and metals analysis.
- Food testing: Detection and quantification of contaminants, pollutants, and residues in food samples.
- Forensic toxicology: Identification and quantification of drugs, toxins, and other substances.
Instrumentation highlights
Orbitrap Exploris 240 LC-MS
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) is an analytical chemistry technique used for separation, identification, and quantification of compounds. Analysis with the Orbitrap LC-MS allows us to further understand the specific structures of different molecules. The Orbitrap analyser contains a barrel-shaped electrode that traps the ions by their electrostatic attractions, forcing them into a spinning motion around it where they are measured by their mass. The Orbitrap software allows the user to improve the resolution of detection over conventional mass analysers by increasing the strength of the field or by increasing the detection period in real time.
NexION 500 ICP-MS
The ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer) is an elemental analysis technique. It is used to measure elements rather than the molecules and compounds. The ICP-MS uses argon plasma to ionize the elements, converting the sample into forms that can measured using a mass spectrometer (MS).
8890 GC-MS
The GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometer works on the principle that a mixture will separate into individual substances when heated. Once heated, they evaporate and are carried through a column with an inert gas (such as helium). As the separated substances emerge from the column opening, they flow into a mass spectrometer analyser, which identifies each analyte based on its mass. GC-MS analysis has an array of uses such as in environmental research to detect pesticides, forensic research to determine a chemical related cause of death, or in pharmaceutical quality control.