GC-MS Autosampler

• Subject Area: Plant Sciences ; Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 579011806

The system to be renewed is the autosampler of a GC-MS platform. For the analysis of polar molecules, chemical derivatization is required, since these compounds, due to their high polarity, cannot readily transition into the gas phase. In this process, polar functional groups are substituted with non-polar ones, thereby increasing volatility and enabling gas chromatographic separation in the first place. Depending on the application, derivatization may involve several reaction steps that are both time- and temperature-dependent. To ensure consistent quality across large sample sets, precise reproducibility of these steps is essential. An automated sample preparation by an autosampler unit is therefore indispensable. It enables a time-coordinated coupling of sample preparation and measurement, ensuring both high sample throughput (including overnight and weekend runs) and high data reproducibility. In addition, the robotic autosampler performs auxiliary tasks, such as the automatic exchange of the glass liner (the GC injection tube), which prevents cross-contamination and ensures continuous operation without the need for staff presence. An expansion of the injection technique is also planned. Within the framework of CEPLAS and CRC 1535, molecular interactions between plants and microbes, as well as within microbial networks, are coming increasingly into focus. A central part of this communication occurs via volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Due to their low concentrations and high volatility, VOC sample preparation poses a particular challenge. By integrating a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) unit, VOCs can be efficiently captured, concentrated, and directly injected into the GC-MS system. This opens up a new field of application, significantly broadening the methodological spectrum of the platform and enabling novel experimental approaches.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: GC-MS Autosamplereinheit (Erneuerung)
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Leader: Dr. Philipp Westhoff, Ph.D.