Native Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies by Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis-ESI-MS

Overview

The characterization of intact monoclonal antibodies by mass spectrometry is challenging due to the size and complexity of the molecules. The ability to separate charge variants in a separation that is directly coupled to the mass spectrometer greatly improves the MS analysis by minimizing spectral overlap of similar variants, while also providing a charge variant separation which aids in identification of the species. We have previously demonstrated the ability to do such an analysis using microfluidic capillary electrophoresis – ESI-MS under “near native conditions”. This current work extends that capability by operating under fully native conditions which maintain the folded structure of the molecules both during the CE separation and through the ESI transition into the gas phase.