Mass Spectrometry

Biography

Biography: Eladia María Peña-Méndez

Abstract

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) became a powerful platform for detection of small molecules in many analytical applications. However, in cell biology, precise detection of small molecules by MALDI MS is challenging due to high biological complexity of samples, unwanted interferences from salts and matrix, requirements of uniform sample deposition or simply minute amounts of the analyte. In the last years, the use of nanoparticles or nanocomposites as new matrices for improving the analysis of small molecules by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry demonstrated promising advantages. The Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), graphene oxides (GO), and/or gold nanoparticles (AuNPS) represent new nanomaterials with unusual physico-chemical properties and great analytical potential as matrices for MALDI MS. In this work we investigated properties of new generations of MOFs and their combinations with GO and AuNPs and demonstrated that they can be effective platforms for the adsorption of small biomolecules, facilitating the ionization in MALDI MS. Finally, application of MOFs, GO, AUNPs and/or their combinations significantly improved detection of small molecules by MALDI MS in complex experimental biochemical or biological systems, e.g. in cells.