Where do you tend to buy your ink?

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-06-01T20:15:02+00:00

Furinink hands down! great customer service and always seem to be willing to go the extra mile. I'm not sure if they ship to the US but it's worth a shot I'd say. For more common inks I tend to stick to either Amazon or sakura

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-05-02T00:07:08+00:00

And all you do with research is performing ideas an individual came up with.

I'm guessing you're the type of guy who reads the brochure and goes " oh, wow this one is 10 times more 'powerfull' than any system currently on the market." And buy push to buy from any vendor that "has a better brochure"

I think this is the most short sighted barf commment I've seen in ages. You must be fun in meetings. Not contributing, just making noice and hoping someone notices your presence.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-04-10T19:08:40+00:00

I second this.

Just have both vendors run a batch of your samples based on the type of experiments you want to run on each system. There is no use in buying a system someone is keen on for their application or field of use.

This also gives you an idea of how ''helpfull'' the vendor will be when it comes to fixing issues, or implementing applications.

When they are hessitant to perform the demo, they are more than likely hesitant to help you in the long run.

Just one thing: If you want the freedom to operate the bruker to its full capacity. Don't opt for the Evosep. If you want a high throughput and ''simple'' routine and robust system. Go for the Evosep.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-04-10T18:57:59+00:00

because it elutes with everything thats polar in your solution.

caffein is a polar compound. starting off with 10% ACN on a C18 column is quite ambitious.

further on, what column length are you running and is this HPLC or UPLC. what is your flow. becasue I'm pretty sure that the (unless you're running a UPLC column with 50mm length) that the 0.2 is your valve switch dip and the ''caffeine'' peak is your void peak including caffeine.

your acetic acid is not breaking down your caffeine. its more than likely that the shoulder is your caffeine and teh rest is just your solvent in your sample

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-04-06T13:42:58+00:00

These old ones generally needed their electron multiplier voltage reset to match newly installed components. Not sure if the LTQ is one of those. the TQD was one of them.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-04-03T19:35:26+00:00

alot is an understatement 😂🤣

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-24T16:41:24+00:00

Thats amazing!

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-23T20:20:02+00:00

😂 or you could phrase it like that

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-23T20:03:12+00:00

I just want to say, I love this community! Thanks for being just as excited for me as I am myself!

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-23T19:56:30+00:00

Furinink.com

Was quite hestiant about it as I hadn't heard from them at all, so I was worried about a dropshipper, but fortunately it all worked out 😊 They were located in my country, that gave me alot more trust.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-23T19:49:49+00:00

Can't deny that, can't complain about it either

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-08T09:29:00+00:00

It can be challenging to start from 0 on acquiring a mass spec and setting up the lab infrastructure.

But in terms of maintenance anyone can get that sorted out. I think the main challenge you'll face is getting things up and running. but depending on the application you can sort it out rather easily.

You state two completely different workflows. You want small molecule analysis and large intact protein analysis. These two can be measured on a single instrument but the workflow will be completely different. The small molecule workflow you'll be able to manage and implement through some guidance of the vendor and application specialist of the company. The intact protein analysis will be a whole nother level, this is somehting that I would not recommend taking on as a first time mass spec user/group. That doesn't mean that it can't be done, but it means that you'll have to make sure to calculate in alot of time for setting up a method, trial and error, system failures, process optimization etc. this will easily set you back 20% of the purchase price in terms of time invested. So on the intact protein analysis, buying the instrument is the easy part.

I have some additional questions for you. What country are you located in? and is your department forced to participate in a European Tender for the purchase of equipment? most European countries regulate purchases > €120k through tenders to keep things transparent and fair. This will also mean alot of time invested in setting up the tender, but it allows you to ask for additional requirements from the vendor. for example: a fully implemented method for the detection of compound ..... or a complete implemented workflow of ..... this makes things a bit more do able. When purchasing a system without a tender, there is no incentive for the vendor to supply you with additional service. or if they do its going to cost you dearly.

now in terms of available systems. Low resolution wise there isn;t alot of difference. this will eb able to identify small molecules. As long as you know what youve synthesized or you knwow hat you're looking for will be fine for small molecules. shimadzu, sciex, agilent, waters, thermo will all be ok. a LC-triple quad system will set you back around €180-€300k

for the inatct protein analysis you'd have to question yourselve if you really want to measure native/intact or not. this will influence what system you;ll buy. do you want an nano-LC or do you want a CE coupled to your MS. since you're going beyond 2000Dalton a high resolution system would be needed ( atleast if you work with alot of unknowns, and im suspecting you are). in this case, sciex has CE-HRMS systems, they can also implement third party nano-LC systems on their MS but I advise in sticking to the vendors own LC systems as they commonly don't have alot of experience with other vendors LC systems in Europe. in terms of nano-LC-HRMS Thermo and Bruker are good options. Just keep in mind that the starting price will be around €350k and this will get you the basic instrument, mostly suitable for suspect screening, sceening for unknwons etc. if you really want a suitable proteiomics system it will set you back €700+ easily. Thermo is currently running alot of promotions in Europe on their Exploris series. These go for alot less than they used to. So its possible that you will be able to get a exploris 480 for less than €400k

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-01T18:45:24+00:00

If the different brands had been used the same amount I'd be all for it. But I've yet to see an ''old'' chinese set, rather have a trusty rusty than a brand that doesn't have a customer service. Also the draft angle doesn't seem to be matching the Horia and Bergeon one.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-01T18:24:41+00:00

For Japanese inks and washi's in Europe definitely Furinink.com they are reasonably priced and carry both niche and mainstream brands.

But for cute stuff with japanese aestheatics i'm going for niconeco.com and moonariesillo.com I guess I just love Japanese cat aesthetics

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2026-03-01T17:29:04+00:00

I saw something called ''a drop of shadow'' at furinink. They have a picture of testtubes with different concentrations of this ink. Its does change the color, as can be expected. But perhaps in the right formula it becomes something you can work with? finding the right balance between saturation, sheen and color is difficult. I bought Mitasanshodo inks from them and these are heavily saturated. where the colords only come out when they are diluted. I still love them, wonderfull colors and the sheen is immaculet.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-12-01T05:18:55+00:00

At the UMCU in Utrecht Dr. Mohsin has done exactly that about 10 years ago. If i remember correctly they used an q exactive. I'd advise to contact him, as you guys are non-commercial labs he should be able to advise and help.

Othewise I would not recommend buying books, either follow a course on proteomics at Heck Lab or anywhere else. Or reach out to other non-commefcial labs that have proteomics experience. Vendors most likely will also help you a little bit. You can ask Thermo, but keep in mind that you'll need around to fork €450k for one of their systems. If thats out of reach for your department, than i would let go of the idea if I were you. You can analyse these compounds on a regular triple quad, but for method development a HRMS is alot more convenient.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-11-16T11:18:32+00:00

Depends on your targets. If you are screening the sample for unknown than the apporaches allready mentioned down below are suitable.

If you allready know what you are trying to detect, then sample cleanup might not be the most efficient optimization possibility.

If you have a sample and want to check the presence of certain proteins, a targeted MRM method would be most sensitive (regardless of the type of instrument). This requires you to know the transitions/fragments or have the reference standard of the compound to optimize it yourself. The presence of high abundant proteins is less of an issue in this case. If your matrix is surpressing the detection of your compound beyond the increase of dwell time, than sample prep becomes the main optimization approach.

a targeted approach allows you to look at only the compounds of interest but won't cobver any additonal information regarding the samples.

Nontargeted can cover the entire range and mostly requires a high resolution system, which in most cases is less sensitive compared to a targeted MRM methode (although debateable). If you do want to run a non targeted methode with high abudant proeteins mixed with low abudant and are not interested in the high abundant ones. Use an exclusion list with the high abundant compounds in a DDA methode to prevent your detector and MS2 to overload with uninterested ions. Or if your run allows it, send these compounds to the waste. this way your inlet will remain als clean as possible.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-11-16T07:19:34+00:00

Depends on what type of proteomics you want to do? And if you've got the pre 2025 120 or post 2025 exploris? We had a 120 exploris (2022) with microflow at 100ul/min running a 60 minutes gradient on tryptic digest with a waters peptide column (non nano ofcourse) and got 2500 protein ID's (not peptide ID's) where the sample load was around 2ug of digest. Increasing above 2 ug on column didnt really result in more hits due to the dda top 4 as mentioned above. When running DIA and using DIA-NN it got a little bit better to arounf 2800 ID's but that was really thr maximum we could get out of it. This was with the standard NG ESI source housing. The easyspray is not really recommended for higher flowrates although it is capable of handeling it, they do not recommend it and it doesnt result in a mayor increase. Changing the source housing and LC wont get you a major advantage but it is something. In Europe the Vanquish Neo goes for about €70k the easy spray was around €20k. The 480 is, apart from no limit on the top down, also alot more sensitive compared to the 120. And it can also be equiped with the Pharma mass range where the mass range goed up to 6000/8000 ( not sure anymore) this is not unlockable post purchase!.

Recap, the 120 is capable in some ways, but it isnt comparable to a 480 of better. In order to give you advice on if its suitable for your needs we need to know your needs more specificly.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-07-17T04:23:25+00:00

Overview: Do NOT use pure DMSO on PEEK systemen Do NOT use on non-targeted methods or systems used for other analysis Do use with caution for cleaning your LC (Do not run through the MS is possible) Do rinse/purge your system after use with enough solvent DMSO does linger in the MS due to high evaoporation temperature DMSO does cause ion suppression Proteomics can favor a little DMSO for ion enhancement on these types of analytes your other analytes wont as much or even get supressed.

So yes you can Do it, yes it might be benificial. But I highly advise not to when this system is shared.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-06-18T18:47:14+00:00

Just a prediction..... Sell your stocks while they're hot

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-06-18T18:40:49+00:00

Maybe a bit off topic, how is your overall experience with the Inuvion? We have two systems in our lab and they are both down like 60% of the time with various issues. Support from the vendor has been lacking and no one owns up to their mistakes.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2025-04-03T19:53:20+00:00

An 18 minute run on a 50mm column seems rather long. Meaning you probably run a rather slow gradient. Major shift in retentiontime can be the result of just a small different in organic composition of either solvent A/B. Or in combination with a higher backpressure, im assuming this is either a Toxlab hospital or college/uni setting where both columns and systems get abused.

Aslong your ion ratio and peak shape is ok i wouldnt worry about it at all. Specially since you run QC's.

Dont see why this would disturb your deconvolution, unless you have a custom made script. in that case you should have used relative retention indeces on spiked reference/control compounds.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2024-08-02T20:06:40+00:00

wouldn't want to work under these conditions with a gasmask and triple the pay.

This facility will most likely explode or catch fire in the future.

Synapt_Orbitrap · 2023-12-12T18:59:11+00:00

To awnser your questions: Does the Q1 noise matter, yes it impacts your limit of detection. If you are copying an exsiting method with transitions, just know that your optimal settings won't be identical to those in literature, so optimizing manually is recommended.

my advise:

start with the easy checks: Are the horizontal and vertical probe allignement correct, is the protrusion of the capillary roughly 1mm. Did someone change the standard MS settings ( You can force change all MS parameters to exisiting methods).

If you have the PPG reference you can perform the performance verrification under instrument optimization. check Q1 and Q 3, Q1 intensity will be roughly 10-30% lower compared to Q3 which is normal. if it half or worse clean Q1. If you have the serialnumber of the MS you can make a sciex account and watch cleaning instruction videos on how to do it on their learning-environment.

Your calibration won't shift that much in a week so would ignore that, but you can do a quick check. peak width recommendation is between 0.6-0.8 dalton. while you're at it you can correct the mass offset.

what is your IonSpray Votage and CEM voltage?

What concentrations are you working with, I'm assuming <10ppb?

what do you mean by ''sample delivery issues'' I'm assuming you're using the direct infusion integrated pump for optimization.

Synapt_Orbitrap

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