Li Yiu-Ching. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-132). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

by Cheng Sau Wan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [72]-[76]). / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.iv / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- RESEARCH BACKGROUND --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Laser desorption methods --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The matrix --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- Role of the matrix --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- Features of the matrix --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Mechanisms of ion formation --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- Desorption process(es) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Ionization process(es) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Sequencing of DNA --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- DNA sequencing procedure --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Generation of the nested set of DNA molecules --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Sequence analysis --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- MALDI-TOF-MS as a DNA sequencing tool --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- MALDI analysis of oligonucleotides --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Outline of the present work --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- INSTRUMENTATION AND EXPERIMENTAL --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Linear time-of-flight mass spectrometry --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Ion detection --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Vacuum system --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Instrumentation --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- The laser system --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Ion source and vacuum system --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Flight tube and reflector --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- The detector --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Data acquisition and computer control --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Experimental --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Sample preparation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Mass spectrometric analysis --- p.30 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- USE OF AMMONIUM SALTS AS CO-MATRICES --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2 --- Experimental --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effects of counter-anions --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effects of matrix materials --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusions --- p.43 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- USE OF POTASSIUM SALTS AS CO-MATRICES --- p.44 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Adduct formation --- p.49 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Signal enhancement --- p.50 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- ANALYSIS OF HIGH MASS OLIGONUCLEOTIDES --- p.53 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.53 / Chapter 5.2 --- Experimental --- p.53 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.54 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusions --- p.67 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- CONCLUSIONS AND FURTHER WORK --- p.68 / Chapter 6.1 --- Conclusions --- p.68 / Chapter 6.2 --- Further work --- p.70 / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.A1 / REFERENCES --- p.R1 - R5