image: A Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientist uses a ThermoFinnigan LTQ mass spectrometer to identify peptides from living organisms such as human plasma, bacteria, and plants. Coupled with peptide identifications from FTICR mass spectrometers, the instrument becomes part of a two-step process for verifying the existence and abundance of proteins. With important peptide biomarkers identified, directed research can further be done to better disease detection, energy production, vaccine development, and bioremediation. view more
Credit: Courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.