Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry Analysis of Proteins and Peptides: A Review

Field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) is a gas-phase atmospheric pressure separation technique that exploits the difference in the mobility of an ion in alternating low and high electric fields applied between two closely spaced electrodes. FAIMS has the potential to simplify mass spectra by separating complex mixtures of ions, including isobaric ions, prior to mass spectral detection. It is a technique that is distinct from both chromatographic and mass-to-charge (m/z) separations. This mini-review discusses the principles of FAIMS separations and instrumentation and the application of FAIMS combined with mass spectrometry for the analysis of peptides and proteins. Keywords: Gas phase separation, field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, FAIMS, differential mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry, peptide, protein, proteomics