Waters Corporation announced the launch of the Waters Cyclic IMS P20 Mass Spectrometer, a high-resolution structural and spatial omics platform designed to assist scientists with complex biological visualization. Introduced at the 74th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, the system combines multipass Cyclic Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) with an expanded suite of fragmentation, probing, and imaging capabilities. This combination delivers full-spectrum molecular imaging within a single experiment to accelerate discovery and development.
The instrument addresses the analytical requirements of larger and more heterogeneous therapeutic targets by introducing significant performance updates over its predecessor. It delivers a greater than 10-fold increase in MS/MS sensitivity compared to its predecessor and extends the upper mass range by more than 50 percent to over 100 kDa. To provide a comprehensive spatial and structural molecular view, the platform integrates complementary structural probing approaches, including tandem ion mobility spectrometry ($\text{IMS}^n$), electron-capture dissociation (ECD), surface-induced dissociation (SID), and collision-induced unfolding (CIU).
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James Hallam, Vice President and General Manager, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Waters Analytical Sciences, Waters Corporation, explains the strategic importance of the platform: "Waters recognizes that advanced tools for structural and spatial omics play a critical role in delivering therapeutic breakthroughs." He adds, "With its powerful fusion of capabilities, the Cyclic IMS P20 MS delivers a previously unattainable view into subtle molecular differences, unlocking a new level of understanding of the mechanisms that drive disease and advancing next-generation discovery."
The platform also brings Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) XS and Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) XS imaging sources together into a single system. This configuration enables high-resolution ion mobility and IMS separations directly in the sample, helping researchers resolve isobaric and stereoisomeric compounds. The resulting multidimensional insights elucidate links between molecular composition and the tissue microenvironment, thereby supporting biomarker identification directly from tissue.
Kostas Thalassinos, Ph.D., Professor of Mass Spectrometry and Academic Lead, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, shares his laboratory's experience with the technology. "The increase in sensitivity delivered by the new functionality is truly remarkable. It stands to significantly accelerate our analyses, potentially by an order of magnitude, and enables us to probe critical low-abundance species in far greater detail."
The Waters Cyclic IMS P20 Mass Spectrometer is expected to be available globally beginning September 2026.
This article is based on a press release issued by Waters Corporation.
