ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometer with ion mobility; UHPLC and MALDI-source

• Subject Area: Biological Chemistry and Food Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 572309846

The University of Hamburg is home to the Technology Platform Mass Spectrometry (TPMS) which integrates two core facilities. In order to support the research strategy of the Department of Chemistry, the Core Facility General Mass Spectrometry (CFMS) will be reinforced by the installation of two new mass spectrometers, coupled to liquid and gas chromatography respectively. Both devices are complementary and will be submitted in two separate applications. In this application, a quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and an interchangeable interface for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is requested to be set up at the CFMS. The instrument will be used primarily for research purposes by research groups focusing on proteomics and metabolomics and to a comparatively small extend for routine applications (approx. 5-10% share). The following specific research questions will be addressed using the instrument applied for: Non-targeted and targeted experiments with plant proteins to detect modifications from processing and from reactions with other plant constituents (e.g. oxidized secondary metabolites). Non-targeted metabolome studies of biological tissues. Non-targeted metabolomics of food for authentication (e.g. experimental proof of origin and of the production process). Top-down protein sequencing for protein-based research questions. Service measurements for reaction control from various research groups working in the field of chemical synthesis.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: ESI-Q-TOF-Massenspektrometer mit Ionenmobilität; UHPLC und MALDI-Quelle
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Leader: Professor Dr. Markus Fischer