Abstract
We present a new class of "mass defect" tags with broad utility in biomolecular mass spectrometry. Elements with atomic numbers between 17 (CI) and 77 (Ir) have a substantially different nuclear binding energy (mass defect) from the elements common to biomolecules. This mass defect yields a readily resolvable mass difference between tagged and untagged species in highresolution mass spectrometers. Examples of the use of these tags in inverted mass ladder sequencing (IMLS(TM)) and as isotope differentiated binding energy shift tags (IDBEST(TM)) for differential peptide display on protein chips are presented. IMLS(TM) has substantial speed and cost advantages over traditional tandem MS sequencing methods. IDBEST(TM) may yield the precision advantages of isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT), without the need for affmity cleanup of the peptides. Mass defect tags also have potential for sequencing other biopolymers (e.g., DNA, oligosaccharides, and lipids) and in combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening applications.

Background
Michael P. Hall, Ph.D., is a senior scientist at Target Discovery, Inc. and co-inventor of the IMLS(TM) and IDBEST (TM) mass spectral technologies. Before Target Discovery, Inc., he worked in the pharmaceutical discovery division of SRI International in Menlo Park, CA where he worked in the areas of diagnostics and drug formulation. He received his doctorate in Biophysical Chemistry from Stanford University in 1996.
 

Meeting details

Date:	Wednesday	February 26, 2003
Time:	6:00 pm	Social hour, registration (no-host cocktails)
	7:00 pm	Dinner
	8:00 pm	Lecture
Dinner:	Choice of:	Veal roast
		Salmon
		Vegetarian Pasta
	includes	(various side dishes & dessert)
Cost:	$25.00	BAMS members.  Reservations required by noon on Friday February 21, 2003
	$35.00	Non-members.  Reservations required by noon on Friday February 21, 2003
	$15.00	Students only.  Reservations required by noon on Friday February 21, 2003

Note: 2003 dues need to be paid to obtain member price.  Dues ($20) may be paid while registering for dinner.

Maps & directions
The Basque Cultural Center
599 Railroad Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
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As a service to our members, we post Employment postings.

As a trial service to our members, we are now posting Situations Wanted.  (Note: BAMS isn't a career center and will only post brief positions wanted for BAMS members only).

The San Francisco Bay Area Mass Spectrometry discussion group was formed in 1980 to provide a regular gathering for people interested in mass spectrometry and allied topics. BAMS currently has a membership of about 280 individual and 20 corporate members, and meets 8-10 times per year for a midweek dinner and lecture.  Meetings attract between 30 and 90 people, and are held at a restaurant or hotel in the bay area convenient for our speaker.  We usually convene at 6:00 pm for cocktails, dinner at 7:00 pm, and lecture at 8:15 pm.

If you have suggestions for a meeting topic, or know of a prominent mass spectroscopist who will be visiting the bay area, please contact our program chair.

To become a member, please fill out and mail in a membership form.
BAMS has been fortunate to have had many excellent speakers in our short history.
If you have suggestions for a meeting topic please contact our program chair.
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Here are some internet links that may be of interest to BAMS members.
 

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Last update: 2/4/2003