UPLC-MS analysis of oligonucleotides
The same analysis we run on our own material is available as a stand-alone service.
Send us an oligonucleotide, whether made in-house, in an academic or research lab, or by another supplier, and we will report its intact mass and purity.
Waters Xevo G3 QTof and ACQUITY Premier UPLC
Our analytical platform is a Waters Xevo G3 QTof mass spectrometer running on an ACQUITY Premier UPLC with PDA detection. The QTof gives high-resolution accurate mass across the full charge envelope, which means we can confirm the intended sequence mass and distinguish it from deletions, depurination products and incomplete deprotection that a nominal-mass instrument would miss. The Premier flow path reduces metal interactions that cause peak tailing and signal loss with phosphorothioates and other modified oligos, so the chromatography reflects the sample rather than the system. Every order is released with UPLC-MS data as standard.
Pricing tiers
Let us know your requirements and the level of detail you need from the analysis, discuss it with us, and choose the tier you prefer. If we think your sample needs the premium method, we will tell you before we run it.
Standard method
- Standard 15-minute method
- UV-VIS chromatogram reported
- Deconvoluted masses of all peaks at 10% UV area or above
- PDF report with the UPLC and MS spectra
Bespoke method and peak assignment
- Bespoke and longer gradients
- Peak identification and assignment
- Interpretation and support from our scientists
- PDF report with the UPLC and MS spectra
What the report covers
Intact mass
Electrospray across the full charge-state envelope, deconvoluted to a single neutral mass and compared against the mass calculated from your sequence.
Purity
Peak area by UV on a reversed-phase gradient, with shortmers and failure sequences resolved from full-length product rather than averaged into it. Any minor peak above 10% of area has its mass listed in the report.
Identity
The deconvoluted mass compared with the mass calculated from the sequence you supply, with any discrepancy reported.
UPLC chromatogram
Deconvoluted mass spectrum
Peak table
Beyond the standard report
- Duplex and triplex melting analysis
- Customer-defined analytical methods and tailored levels of analysis
- Full characterisation of customer-supplied oligonucleotides where a single injection is not enough
These are quoted per project rather than per sample. Ask before you send a sample and we will advise which applies and what it will cost.
Sending a sample
How much material
As a guide, 0.5 nmol, for example 50 µL of a 10 µM solution. Dried material is fine. We can often work with less, but the result cannot be guaranteed; ask us first.
Sample preparation
Samples must be desalted before analysis. If yours are not, we can desalt them in house. Tell us when you enquire and we will include it in the quotation.
Turnaround
Analysis is scheduled around synthesis production, so if you have a deadline tell us when you enquire and we will confirm a date.
How the report arrives
By email, as a PDF.
Confidentiality
All sequences and data are treated as confidential. We are happy to put a confidentiality agreement in place if your organisation requires one.
Where to send it
Assemblon Limited, Office F13, Atlas Building (R27), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX. Mark the package for the attention of the analysis service.
How to label it
Use your own sample codes on the tube and on the submission form. We report against your codes, not internal identifiers. We will send you a sample submission form when you enquire.
Sample retention
Samples are consumed in the analysis. Any excess is not retained and cannot be returned, so please send only material you can spare.
Not sure whether analysis is what you need?
Describe the problem and we will advise whether analysis will help. The initial consultation is free.