Using the Mini-Session Course Format To Train Students in the Practical Aspects of Modern Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS) has been gaining in popularity in recent years owing in large part to the development of soft-ionization techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). These soft-ionization techniques have opened up the field of MS analysis to biomolecules, polymers, and other high molecular weight materials. The growing publication rate and a quick survey of available job postings requiring MS skill sets illustrate the importance of properly training students in the use of modern MS techniques. Many colleges and universities are unable to hire full-time technical staff devoted to student training on the use of MS equipment. The lack of technical staff results in less than adequate student training on the use of MS equipment, which ultimately leads to student apprehension about using the instruments regularly in their research projects. Herein, we report on our efforts utilizing a mini-session course format (one week with 40 contact hours) to properly train graduate students in the use of modern MS equipment and techniques. The course consists of three components: (i) a lecture component of approximately 2 h each day to introduce the basic theory of the days topics, (ii) a hands-on laboratory component illustrating the use of both MALDI and ESI instruments to gather a variety of data, and (iii) a student project utilizing the MS equipment in their own graduate research during the regular semester following the mini-session course. The students receive three hours of graduate credit and receive permission, upon successful completion of the course, to use the MS facilities unsupervised. The faculty member teaching the course receives teaching credit for the training efforts.