Carnegie Mellon University
Mellon College of Science  ›  Department of Chemistry  ›  Research  ›  Facilities & Instrumentation  ›  CMA Facility

Center for Molecular Analysis

The Center for Molecular Analysis (CMA) features modern high-performance analytical instruments for use by researchers both at CMU and external to CMU such as at the University of Pittsburgh and industry.

The CMA instruments are available to trained user-operators 24 hours/day and sample drop-off is also offered for mass spectrometry. In addition to the analytical instrumentation, the CMA provides collaborations, analytical assistance, and training. Professor Mark Bier offers expertise and instrumentation for advanced ultra-high m/z (heavy ion MS) analysis.

Researchers using these instruments should acknowledge the Center for Molecular Analysis in their publications. Specific use of the mass spectrometers should acknowledge the Center for Molecular Analysis and the instrument grants used: NSF grant number CHE-9808188 for the MALDI-TOF-MS NSF grant number DBI-9729351 for the ESI-QIT-MS.

Instrument Reservations

  • Users must be trained prior to using any CMA instrument. See training instruction below.
  • You must make a reservation in advance to use any CMA instrument using the calendar. 
  • Canceling a Reservation: Reserved time may only be canceled more than 24 hours (1 day) ahead of the reserved time. 
    • Make another entry for the same day and time to be canceled with "CANCEL/last name" in the text field.
    • Include the time at which you made the cancellation. 
  • Charging is based on the logon time as monitored. However, the User is responsible for the time reserved on the calendar. If you do not show up to use the instrument, you will still be charged. 
  • Instrument status updates can be found of the Internet calendars. 
    • A Green status update means all OK 
    • A Yellow status update will define a warning but the instrument is available. 
    • A Red status update mean that the instrument is not available.

Reservation Calendars

Mass Spectrometers


Photon Spectrometers 

Liquid Chromatograph 

Before You Arrive 

Training

  • Required for all users. Contact Professor Mark Bier at mbier@andrew.cmu.edu to arrange, offered typically in September, February and June. Training is through modules is through modules in Canvas.
  • Users must receive training If more than 3 samples per month are expected, training to become a user-operator is recommended for faster turnaround time and lower cost to the user. 
  • Prerequisites: 
    • Completion of CMU laboratory safety training 
    • A real sample ready to use during training 
For mass spectrometry
Training typically starts within one-week after you have read the user’s manual (2-3 hours). A time will be set up with the MS instructor and will usually include 2-3 other students. You will need to pass an exam before you can use the mass spectrometer or your choice.
For photon spectroscopy
Read the user’s manuals.
Contact Professor Mark Bier mbier@andrew.cmu.edu.
Sample drop-off is not available for these instruments.

Training Videos


Additional recommended reading

Bier, M.E.; “Analysis of Proteins by Mass Spectrometry”, Modern Protein Chemistry: Practical Aspects; Catalog Number 9453; Brown, W.E.; Howard, G.C. (Eds.) CRC Press LLC; Boca Raton, FL;  2001, 71-101. 

Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Fundamentals, Instrumentation, & Application; Cole, R.B.,Ed; John Wiley & Sons: New York, 1997. 

Howe, I.; Williams, D.H.; Bowen, R.D.; Mass Spectrometry: Principles and Applications; McGraw-Hill: New York, 2nd ed, 1972. 

Levsen, K; Fundamental Aspects of Organic Mass Spectrometry; Verlag Chemie: New York, v.4, 1978. 

Siuzdak, G.; Mass Spectrometry for Biotechnology; Academic Press: San Diego, California, 1996. 

Sparkman, O.D.; Mass Spectrometry Desk Reference; Global View: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2000.

Upon Arrival

  • Log your charge number in the Excel instrument log located on the computer desktop of each instrument
  • Users paying by purchase order (PO) should have already provided an electronic copy of PO to CMA director or assistant by email.
  • Please report all instrument problems to the CMA director or assistant.

When You Are Done

  • You are responsible for archiving your own data.
  • Bring your own backup media (e.g., flash drive).
  • The CMA is not responsible for any data left on computer hard drives.
  • Remove sample, clean your workspace and dispose of all waste.
  • You may only take research tools (e.g. the UV-Vis fiber optic probe) out of the CMA with permission from the director and after signing the item out.
  • Only CMA staff may perform maintenance or repairs.
  • Please report all instrument problems to someone in the CMA.
  • CMA computers are for instrumentation use and/or data manipulation only — no web browsing or unauthorized software.

User‑Operated Instrument Time

  • Invoicing occurs quarterly.
  • Hourly charges are based on the logon time.
  • Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
  • You must provide either:
    • A CMU Oracle account number OR
    • For Non-CMU Users: A hard copy of the PO number and outside billing address.
  • MS and photon charges are based on the reserved calendar time or the logon time, which ever is greater.
  • Laboratory assistance in MI 551 is provided by CMA staff at a rate of $50/hour.
  • MS and Photon training and Non-CMA training is provided at $100 per user.
  • MS training for industry is provided at $1250 per user.

Mass Spectrometry

Bruker Ultraflexetreme MALDI TOF/TOF

MS Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated** $30.00/hour  $45.00/hour $180.00/hour*
Sample Drop-Off† $45.00/sample $75.00/sample $250.00/sample

(1 week turn-around; rate doubles within 48hrs)

ThermoFisher Scientific ESI/APCI LCQ Ion Trap

MS Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated** $30.00/hour  $45.00/hour $200.00/hour*
Sample Drop-Off† $45.00/sample $75.00/sample $250.00/sample

(1 week turn-around; rate doubles within 48hrs)

ThermoFisher Scientific ESI/DART LTQ-XL Linear Ion Trap

MS Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated** $30.00/hour  $60.00/hour $200.00/hour*
Sample Drop-Off† $45.00/sample $75.00/sample $250.00/sample

(1 week turn-around; rate doubles within 48hrs)

ThermoFisher Scientific ESI/DART Exactive Plus EMR Orbitrap

MS Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated** $45.00/hour  $60.00/hour $225.00/hour*
Sample Drop-Off† $60.00/sample $75.00/sample $275.00/sample

(1 week turn-around; rate doubles within 48hrs)

Liquid Chromatography

Thermo Scientific Vanquish Flex Binary UHPLC; Thermo Scientific EASY-nLC 1200 Nanoflow Liquid Chromatograph

MS Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated $30.00/hour  $100.00/hour Billed by the hour $180.00/hour

Billed by the hour CMU — Users will be charged for start-up training at $50/hour. #New non-CMU users are charged for the first hour startup help.

Photon Spectroscopy

Photon Spectroscopy FTIR-NIR Spectrometer (Mattson ATI Affinity 60AR), UV-VIS-NIR Spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer Lambda 900), CD (JASCO 715)

Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU) Industry User
User Operated $20.00/hour $75.00/hour Billed by the hour $200.00/hour

CMU — Users will be charged for start-up training at $50/hour. #New non-CMU users are charged for the first hour startup help.

Other Services

Other Service CMU User Academic User (non-CMU)
Additional Sample Preparation +$50.00/sample +$50.00/sample
Protein Identification† +$100.00/sample +$120.00/sample

* Fee determined to be a fair market value relative to equivalent service charges by private companies. (See NSF Grant Policy Manual). CMU incubator companies, that have prior training, are charged using 15min intervals.

† Normal rates apply to samples which have been prepared by the guidelines given on our Mass Spectrometry page. If significant preparation remains to be done upon submission, the "Additional Sample Preparation" charge will be assessed, since the service will take significantly more time to complete.

** New users will be charged for the formal two hour training session.

Sample Drop‑Off

  • Print out the Sample Request Form and fill it out when dropping off samples for mass spectrometry.
  • Follow the guidelines for sample preparation found on the Mass Spectrometry page.
  • Incomplete forms will cause a delay in your analysis.
  • Current pricing for sample drop-off can be found in the Rates & Services section.

Researchers using these instruments should acknowledge the Center for Molecular Analysis, the director and the assistant in their publications. Specific use of the mass spectrometers should acknowledge the Center for Molecular Analysis and the instrument grants used: NSF grant number CHE-9808188 for the MALDI-TOF-MS NSF grant number DBI-9729351 for the ESI-QIT-MS.

These links provide researchers with quick access to essential proteomics, genomics, polymer chemistry, and mass spectrometry databases and tools that directly support the Center for Molecular Analysis’s analytical and experimental work. They also include safety information, educational materials, and professional organizations that help maintain best practices, promote continued learning, and connect CMU scientists with the broader scientific community.

Proteomics

European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) 
PROWL 

Genomics 

The S Biopolymer Calculator 

Isotope distribution calculators 

Polymers 

Calibration compounds 

Education/Tutorials 

Virtual Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (TestVMSL) 

Safety 

Organizations 

SSP-Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group 

Facility Contact

Professor Mark Bier
Director of the CMA, Research Professor
Mellon Institute 551
Carnegie Mellon University
4400 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213‑2683
mbier@andrew.cmu.edu
412-268-3540 (office)
412-268-6897 (fax)