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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2025.12.18.695161

Regarding Emitter Positioning for Nanoflow Electrospray Ionization

Lancaster, N. M.·Quarmby, S. T.·Overmyer, K.·Coon, J.
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Abstract

Nanoflow electrospray ionization is commonly used for proteomics due to its high sensitivity. Signal intensity, however, is dependent on optimal emitter positioning relative to the mass spectrometer inlet. Here, we characterize the effect of varied emitter positions on peptide signal intensity in all three dimensions using emitters and flows consistent with standard proteomic analyses. We observe improved signal robustness to x/y variations at increasing z distances and demonstrate that positioning within 1 to 2 mm of the optimal location will maintain consistent signal. Signal intensity behavior is consistent across the m/z range, suggesting a certain level of analyte-independence for proteomics analyses. These results provide insight for proteomics researchers using nanoflow LC-MS/MS. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=93 SRC="FIGDIR/small/695161v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (18K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a976ccorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b6627forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fca93eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@cb61f6_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Lancaster, N. M., Quarmby, S. T., Overmyer, K., Coon, J.. 2025-12-20. Regarding Emitter Positioning for Nanoflow Electrospray Ionization. https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.18.695161

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