MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer for intact proteins and protein isoforms

The University Hospital of RWTH Aachen is procuring a MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer. This instrument will be operated at the Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) and is required within the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre TRR219 "Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Complications in Chronic Kidney Disease". General Description MALDI-TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometer: A compact, benchtop-based MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer is required for experimental use in biomedical and translational research according to the current state of the art. The system is designed for routine and high-throughput operation in a multi-user environment and should be installable in existing laboratory rooms without structural modifications. The mass spectrometer must have a dedicated MALDI ion source and be suitable for the analysis of intact proteins and protein complexes without enzymatic digestion (top-down / native mass spectrometry). The analytical focus is on high-molecular-weight biomolecules from complex biological samples. A wide mass range up to the high-molecular-weight range (? 300,000 m/z) is required, enabling reliable detection of large intact biomolecules. Operation in linear and reflectron modes must be supported. For structural characterization, TOF/TOF-capable MS/MS functionality is required, suitable for automated workflows in high-throughput operation. The MALDI laser must be designed for continuous operation and ensure reproducible measurement performance. The system should support automated sample operation with multi-spot targets. Instrument control and data acquisition are carried out via an integrated software solution that enables automated workflows as well as further processing and export of the generated mass spectrometry data.