Identification of Microbes using MALDI-TOF-MS

An extensive three-centre project on MALDI-TOF-MS of intact cells (in collaboration and funded by Manchester Metropolitan University and Micromass (Waters) Ltd has now enabled the establishment of the mostcomprehensivedatabaseachievedtodate(>2000 species).

A large number of variable parameters can affect the reproducibility of a given mass spectral profile therefore until recently it has not been possible to achieve such a database. The current project developed standard operating procedures to accomplish this and the system is currently being tested for identification of clinical isolates. Specific projects in proteomics have also been supported by grants from the Hadwen Trust and the Home Office.

Last reviewed: 24 August 2009