Abstract

Advances in Automated MALDI Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Rainer Cramer, Professor, University of Reading

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the two main ionization techniques in biological MS.  Its advantages are easy off-line sample preparation, high tolerance to contaminants and additives, and high speed analysis as well as the well-known advantages of modern mass spectrometry such as high sensitivity.  These properties are highly desirable for automated (large-scale) analysis of biomolecules.  Thus, MALDI MS has already been used extensively in areas such as proteomics, metabolomics, systems biology and medicine, and clinical microbiology and diagnostics, to name but a few.