Detection of 500‐nucleotide DNA by laser desorption mass spectrometry

Abstract
We report the first detection of DNA segments as large as 500 nucleotides by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, using picolinic acid and 3‐hydroxypicolinic acid mixtures as desorption matrices. The successful detection of 500‐nucleotide DNA indicates that laser mass spectrometry is now emerging as a new biotechnology tool for DNA‐related research. It should be possible to utilize fast detection of large DNA segments by laser mass spectrometry for rapid human genome sequencing.