MALDI

Project description

The objective of this project is the acquisition of a cutting-edge MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight) for accurate mass determination of high molecular weight compounds. In the last years the MALDI ionization source has been coupled to ion-trap (OrbitrapTM) and quadrupole-time of flight (QqTOF) analyzers in an effort to increase sensitivity and resolving power in the low mass range.

With these approaches, excellent results are obtained in the low m/z region; however, the high values are not accessible anymore. We observe a general trend in the mass spectrometry community: the lack of equipment available to analyze high molecular weight compounds that are not amenable to analysis by Electrospray ionization: polymers of low polarity, dendrimers in complex matrices… The MALDI source is present at the Mass Spectrometry facilities at ICIQ with two mass spectrometers: a timsTOFflex that encompasses a MALDI/ESI dual source and ion mobility cell, offering unique specifications in the low mass range (below 10,000 m/z) and an Autoflex MALDI-TOF spectrometer, installed in 2005. In this case, its upper m/z range is very limited, the resolving power has decreased dramatically over the years. At the present time only for values lower that 4,000 m/z is possible to resolve isotopic patterns, and with poor specifications, too low for a research of excellence.

The total budget for this equipment is €549,683.63, and the granted funding amounts to €274,841.82.

Este equipamiento es parte de la ayuda EQC2024-008719-P, financiada por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por FEDER/UE