Christian W. Huck

A non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy method to characterize a wide range of stationary phases.

A new proteomic profiling method based on material-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (MELDI) has been developed to identify candidate biomarkers that are selected in MELDI mass profiles. The basic principle of applying MELDI is to trace out the low-concentration species generated as a result of disease, which can then be used as diagnostic markers after their authentic validation. The first step of the MELDI approach is applied to reduce the complexity of proteomic samples by specific binding of serum proteins onto chemically modified MELDI beads, which are then directly analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). The resulting mass profiles provide the basis for differentiating diseased samples from control samples. The use of liquid handling robots for sample preparation for high-throughput applications leads to higher reproducibility, which is crucial to succesfully identify disease markers. The ongoing development of MELDI for the..