Laboratory Orientation

Laboratory combines three analytical tools for the characterization of molecular structure: mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microscopy. The instrumentation is spread in buildings A, C, U. Recently, a new facility in building L is under construction. Service analyses are possible and samples can be tracked via the Request application.

MS group is focused mainly to proteomics and peptidomics fields, although some minor small molecule analysis has also been carried out from time-to-time. MS3D approaches are represented by chemical crosslinking, hydrogen-deuterium exchange and molecular modeling. For biomolecular separation prior to mass spectrometry 1D/2D chromatographic or gel methods are being employed. For molecular 2D visualization mass spectrometry imaging protocols have been developed (MALDI, NALDI, DESI, DAPPI) and implemented on 9.4T FTICR for lipid analysis in tissues. A new 12T FTICR will be installed in the beginning of 2013.

NMR operates a four channel 600 MHz instrument with a cryo-probe dedicated to protein analysis. In 2012 its upgrade to HPLC-MS/NMR configuration is planned and will be used for metabolomics projects. Protein structure tasks will be forwarded to a new 700 MHz instrument to be installed at the end of 2012. Older (2009) 400 MHz instrument has been dedicated to analysis of mostly low molecular weight natural compounds, their semisynthetic derivatives or biotransformation products.

Microscopy group runs multiple electron as well as optical microscopy equipment. At present, a quest for a new scanning electron microscope has started. In accord with remaining groups extensive service measurements are being carried out for the whole biological campus in Krc as documented by considerable number of collaborations and joint publications.



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