BACKGROUND REDUCTION IN TOP-DOWN ANTIBODY ANALYSIS

Method and devices for performing top down analysis of an antibody are described which involve utilizing an ion source to generate a plurality of ions from a sample containing at least one intact antibody. Further, transmitting said plurality of ions through a quadrupole rod set while applying an RF signal thereto and in the absence of a resolving DC voltage so as to preferentially transmit precursor ions having an m/z value greater than a low mass cutoff of about 1500 m/z from the quadrupole rod set to an ECD cell. The method and device can also performing an ECD reaction in the ECD cell on said precursor ions and also detect reaction products from the ECD reaction.