Title: New strategies for Biological Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Recent innovations in speed, accuracy and sensitivity have established mass spectrometry (MS) based methods as a key technology for the analysis of complex mixtures. MS techniques are emerging as the analytical gold standard for identification and characterization of molecular components with wide applications in forensic, environmental, and biomedical research.  My research group focuses on the development of emerging technologies for the characterization of biological systems at the single cell level, with emphasis on the 3D localization and quantification of molecular species with sub micrometric spatial resolution. We utilized new, multidimensional separation workflows combining new physical probes in tandem with novel, post-ionization separations based on tandem ion mobility and mass spectrometry. In particular, since the introduction of trapped IMS (TIMS, co-inventor) in 2011, we have pioneered several applications for the analysis of complex environmental, biological and clinical mixtures. In the present talk, the advantages of mass spectrometry-based tools for the characterization and structural elucidation of biological samples will be shown, ranging from 3D single cell mapping to 3D characterization of peptides, proteins, protein-protein, and protein-DNA complexes.

Seminar will be followed by a Christmas get-together. Lunch will be provided.