Hybrid-Massenspektrometer mit einem Gradienten Fokussierungssystem für die Flüssigkeitschromatographie

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431335494

In recent years, mass spectrometry-based proteomics has increasingly become the key technology for many biological and medical questions. The applied mass spectrometer possesses high sensitivity, fast sequencing speed, high mass accuracy and diverse fragmentation techniques such as collision-induced dissociation (CID), higher-energy C-trap dissociation (HCD) and electron-transfer dissociation (ETD). Using this high-resolution quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer, complex biological samples can be analyzed in depth. In addition to the standard configuration with a high-performance liquid chromatography device, a further liquid chromatography system was applied for, which was designed for projects with high sample throughput and short gradients. This additional chromatography unit will play an important role in the establishment of systems medicine in Cologne. The mass spectrometer also allows the fragmentation of intact proteins via ETD. So far, this method is not feasible at the University of Cologne. The combination of different types of fragmentation (CID, ETD) also offers an optimal representation of cross-linked peptides by mass spectrometry-cleavable cross-linker molecules. In close cooperation with the biochemistry department, the structure of protein complexes will be investigated using a combination of cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) and cryo-electron microscopy. CID fragmentation will be performed with an ion trap mass spectrometer (LTQ-Orbitrap Discovery; purchased 2008), which is no longer state of the art. Overall, the proposed mass spectrometer will increase the capacity of the facility and significantly expand the range of mass spectrometric methods.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Hybrid-Massenspektrometer mit einem Gradienten Fokussierungssystem für die Flüssigkeitschromatographie
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Leader: Professor Dr. Marcus Krüger