Mass Spectrometry

Currently, we employ two different types of mass spectrometers for various applications. 

Exactive Orbitrap LC-MS

The Orbitrap is a high-resolution, accurate-mass analyzer which offers performance advantages and a high resolution of up to 1100,000 m/z. In our laboratory the Orbitrap system is connected to a high performance liquid chromatography equipment to enhance separation of unknown compounds. Standard applications corrently include food safety analysis, the search for algea toxins,

MALDI-TOF/MS

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry is particularly suitable for bioanalysis of large biomolecules and whole-bacteria spectra, which again are suitable for the identification of bacteria. This technique we employ as reference tool in our Raman and SERS studies on bacteria. 

LTQ-MS

The LTQ ion trap mass spectrometer is combined in our laboratory with a SICRIT ionization source for direct mass analysis of gaseous compounds. In addition to mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), the LTQ MS can provide multiple levels of mass analysis (MSn) which makes it possible to quantify target analytes in complex matrices and obtain structural information. Standard applications include the use for aerosol analysis and toxicology, environmental screening, and, again, protein analysis.

The SICRIT ionization source

In combination with our LTQ-MS, we employ the newly developed SICRIT source, a particularly robust ionization source developed by a former PhD student of the IWC-TUM and member of the aerosol goup, Dr. Jan-Christoph Wolf, who founded the Plasmion GmbH to commercialize this innovative tool.