Structural separations by ion mobility-MS for glycomics and glycoproteomics.

This chapter describes the utility of ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) for the detection and characterization of glycoproteins and associated glycoconjugates. IM-MS provides separations in two dimensions; one on the basis of molecular surface area or structure, and the other on molecular mass which creates the ability to differentiate biomolecular classes and isobaric species. When applied to the characterization of glycoproteins, IM-MS separates peptides from the associated glycans in the same digest without purification, and can also be used to separate different isomeric glycans which is a significant challenge in current glycomic studies. The chapter details the methodologies to use IM-MS for the study of glycans and glycoproteins for an audience ranging from new and potential practitioners to those already utilizing the technique.