Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry is one of the most versatile and accurate tools for structural investigation of biomolecules. The dissociation of oligonucleotides in gas-phase results in multiple series of sequence-defining fragment ions, which are recorded as a product ion spectrum. Backbone cleavage is influenced by the 2'-substituent and further structural modifications. To establish mass spectrometry based sequencing techniqes, the fundamental mechanistic aspects of the gas-phase dissociation of oligonucleotides are investigated.

This work was carried out by Jan Tromp, Selina Monn and David Käch in the group of PD Dr. Stefan Schürch.