Services & Equipment
Our Services
Services available in English and French. / Services disponibles en français et en anglais.
The BMS core provides a wide range of mass spectrometry (MS) services across several omics fields, including proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics. We offer services such as sample processing, fractionation and desalting, MS data acquisition, and even extended data analysis services! You can choose to use some of our end-to-end services for complete peace of mind or to opt for modular services to better fit your experimental needs. Because every project is different, we also welcome custom inquiries and pilot samples.
The BMS core has no limits on sample submissions: from a single sample to over 100, the choice is entirely yours. Our services are based on a carefully curated and volume-based pricing model, meaning that the cost per sample decreases as the number of submitted samples increases. For accurate pricing regarding a specific number of samples or for information to support a grant proposal, please contact us at bms@dal.ca.
----- Examples of rates for our most requested batch sizes (September 2026) -----
| Services | Batch of 6 samples | Batch of 12 samples |
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END-TO-END SERVICES 1 Proteomics
Metabolomics and Lipidomics
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MODULAR SERVICES
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| CUSTOM WORKFLOW AND PILOT STUDY | For method development, please reach out to bms@dal.ca | |
1) Includes sample processing, MS data acquisition and basic MS data processing. 2) Displayed prices refer to a typical 30 min MS data acquisition run. Prices may vary based on the MS run duration, which can be adjusted to better suit your experimental needs. To learn how the duration of the acquisition run affects your data, visit the BMS run time poster. 3) Includes the analysis of the total proteome and the mapping of its associated phosphorylation sites. 4) and 5) Displayed prices refer to typical 10 min and 60 min MS data acquisition runs, respectively. Prices may vary based on the MS run duration, which can be adjusted to better suit your experimental needs. To learn how the duration of the acquisition run affects your data, visit the BMS run time poster.
Our Equipment
Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer
The Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer from Thermo Scientific sets new benchmarks for analysis depth, throughput, and sensitivity across a broad range of -omics analyses. The Orbitrap Astral combines the established Orbitrap mass detector with the novel Asymmetric Track Lossless (Astral) analyzer. Operating in parallel, the Orbitrap acquires high-resolution precursor ion data while the Astral rapidly obtains sensitive fragment ion spectra. This combined operation maximizes ion utilization while also offering flexibility for operation in a wide range of scan modes. The Orbitrap Astral in the BMS Core is paired with a Vanquish Neo system to support nano- and micro-scale chromatography during sample introduction to the mass spectrometer via the OptaMax or Nanospray Flex ion sources.
timsMetabo mass spectrometer
The timsMetabo mass spectrometer from Bruker offers a cutting-edge platform for a variety of -omics analyses. The timsMetabo combines trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) and Mobility Range Enhancement (MoRE) with recent advances in ion detection (Athena Ion Processor) to deliver metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analyses at speed, depth, and scale. The timsMetabo in the BMS Core is paired with a Waters ACQUITY M-Class system to support nano- and micro-scale chromatography during sample introduction to the mass spectrometer via the VIP-HESI or CaptiveSpray ion sources.
Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer
The Orbitrap Fusion Lumos is built on the Tribrid architecture and includes quadrupole mass filter, linear ion trap and Orbitrap mass analyzers. System specifications: resolving power up to 500,000 FWHM, with isotopic fidelity up to 240,000 FWHM at m/z 200; Synchronous Precursor Selection (SPS) for MS and MSn experiments; scan rates of up to 30 Hz in OTMSn, and up to 40 Hz in ITMSn; <3 ppm RMS using external calibration. The Lumos can be interfaced to the ACQUITY M-Class UPLC system for nano-micro flow rate experiments, as well as the Vanquish UPLC for analytical flow rate work. The Lumos can optionally be used with the FAIMS Pro ion mobility interface for greater sensitivity in a variety of analysis types.
QTRAP 5500 mass spectrometer
The QTRAP 5500 mass spectrometer from AB Sciex offers a robust and reliable platform for targeted and other types of directed mass spectrometry experiments. The instrument offers fast and sensitive scanning to facilitate robust and reliable monitoring of target analytes. The QTRAP 5500 is interfaced with an Agilent 1290 Infinity II UPLC system (with a Multisampler module capable of holding thousands of samples) and can be operated with the SELEXion ion mobility interface to enhance overall specificity of data acquisition.
Other equipment
The BMS CORE houses a variety of other instruments and hardware devices that support sample processing and analysis. This includes thermomixers; SpeedVac centrifuge; HPLC hardware for fractionation/purification/desalting; SPE manifold and vacuum manifold; data processing workstations; and all the reagents you require for sample processing and analysis!
Decommissioned instruments
QExactiveDecommission date: April 2026
The QExactive is a quadrupole-Orbitrap platform capable of analyzing a variety of complex sample types. System specifications: Resolving power up to 140,000; Maximum scan speed of 12 Hz at a resolution setting of 17,500 @ m/z 200; Intra-scan dynamic range of 5000:1; <3ppm RMS mass accuracy; 50 to 6,000 m/z mass range. The QExactive is interfaced to a Vanquish UPLC system for sample introduction at analytical flow rates. |
VelosProDecommission date: January 2021
The VelosPRO provides ultra-high resolution (maximum resolution > 100,000 at m/z 400) and accurate mass acquisitions (< 1 ppm RMS using internal calibration) for confident structural elucidation. Powered by Orbitrap technology, this high mass accuracy system increases the confidence of peptide identification in complex samples by minimizing false positive identification. This systems can perform collision induced dissociation (CID), high energy collisional dissociation (HCD) and electron transfer dissociations (ETD). In combination, these fragmentation modes provide extensive structural information for peptide identification and post-translational modification studies. Precise intact protein analysis, rapid quantitation of low level isobarically-labeled peptides and multiple fragmentation techniques can all be performed in this a single instrument. |
