What is the largest macromolecule I can measure using the macroIMS system?
The largest macromolecule measured to date (November 2003) is the so-called “Vault,” a blood protein structure of more than 13 megadaltons, which was measured by Professor Joseph Loo (Abstract No. A031378 presented at the 2003 American Society for Mass Spectrometry conference). The macroIMS method uses aerosol particle instruments that can measure particles up to 65 nm diameter or more. The molecular mass of a 65-nm macroion would be an astronomical 80 MEGAdaltons! This makes the macroIMS technique interesting for biocomplex studies.
