MALDI TOF mass spectrometry: an emerging platform for genomics and diagnostics.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry has become, in recent years, a tool of choice for large molecule analyses. The platform is ideal for analysis of protein and nucleic acid sequence, structure and purity. MALDI TOF is the method of choice for quality assurance in oligo and peptide synthesis. Exact mass measurements along with signal intensity detection provide a high level of quality assurance as to the accuracy of the measurement. This accuracy has the potential to significantly lower the level of indeterminate assays that require retest.