SELDITOFMS stands for "Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry." It is a technique used in analytical chemistry for the accurate analysis and identification of various molecules, especially biomolecules, based on their mass-to-charge ratio.
In SELDITOFMS, a sample containing the molecules of interest is first deposited onto a solid surface composed of nanostructured materials, such as metal nanoparticles or surfaces coated with metal ions. These structures can enhance the ionization of the molecules when exposed to laser irradiation, resulting in the production of gas-phase ions.
Once ionized, these ions are accelerated with an electric field and separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The flight times of the ions are measured, and their respective masses or molecular weights can be calculated based on the time-of-flight data.
SELDITOFMS has several advantages over other mass spectrometry techniques, including its ability to analyze complex biological samples like proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules. It offers high sensitivity, rapid analysis, and requires minimal sample preparation. Moreover, SELDITOFMS enables the analysis of analytes directly from the surface of solid samples, thus reducing the need for extensive sample manipulation or purification.
The technique has found numerous applications in various fields, including proteomics, pharmaceutical analysis, biomarker discovery, and diagnostics. Its ability to provide detailed information on the mass and structure of molecules makes SELDITOFMS an important tool in modern analytical chemistry.
