MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry: From Molecule and Surface Characterisation to Structure Property Relationships (MOStE)

• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533210591

The Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences focuses its strategic research orientation and competence building on the transdisciplinary research focus "Functional Surfaces". The Department of Chemistry is strongly represented by scientists from the disciplines of coatings and polymer chemistry, biophysical chemistry, biotechnology and instrumental analysis, who research structure-property relationships between desired properties of materials and cells and their molecular level. Instrumental analytical investigations of macromolecules of chemical and biotechnological origin require a gently ionizing high-resolution, multiple-fragment mass spectrometer. The study of their embedding, adhesion and arrangement on synthetic polymeric, textile and cellular surfaces also necessitates lateral resolution and imaging techniques. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption mass spectrometers enable the identification and characterization of small and high-molecular weight compounds as well as the localization of substances by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Until now, the verification of chemical and biotechnological syntheses of monomers, their assembly into polymers with coating properties as well as the characterization of the material itself has not been possible due to a lack of equipment at the HSNR. The project From Molecular and Surface Characterization to Structure-Property Relationships (MOStE) therefore aims to acquire a MALDI-HRMS instrument to close this gap. The characterization of the molecular level, that will be possible in the future, includes biotechnological actuators and products, such as peptides, enzymes and biopolymers, which can be identified using integrated multiple fragment high-resolution mass spectrometry. It includes lipids and steroidal compounds as well as synthetic mono-, oligo- and polymers. Lipids function as food origin and quality indicators and markers. Monoclonal antibodies are also among the molecular objects of investigation. The proposed tool helps to characterize them intact, including their post-translational modifications and mutations. Since molecules determine the properties of macroscopic forms, e.g. synthetic coatings, biotechnological adhesives, adipose tissues in food, i.e. ultimately surfaces, MSI will allow to bridge the gap between structures and properties. The envisaged MALDI-HRMS will provide additional insights into project-related research on high-performance biopeptides and the authentication and classification of pork. Furthermore, it will foster the university's research fields on chemical polymers and enzymes.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: MALDI-HRMS
• Applicant Institution: Hochschule Niederrhein
• Leader: Professor Dr. Martin Jäger