News
16.02.2026
New MALDI-TOF/TOF Imaging mass spectrometer at the CCiTUB
The Scientific and Technological Centers of the University of Barcelona have acquired a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer thanks to the granting of aid EQC2021-007349-P from the Next Generation EU Fund, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (call for acquisition of scientific-technical equipment 2021), endowed with funding of 882,050 euros for the IMALDING project (MALDI-TOF/TOF imaging Platform).
The equipment, from the Bruker Daltonics brand, is a mass spectrometer with specific features for performing MALDI Imaging and designed for the analysis of small molecules, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules.
Currently, the equipment is already operational in the Unitat d’Anàlisi Biomolecular in the proteomics service of the CCiTUB and is available to the entire scientific community.
Equipment characteristics
The MALDI-TOF/TOF RapifleX Imaging mass spectrometer is equipped with a MALDI ionization source and a TOF analyzer. It is a very fast, robust mass spectrometer and allows the optics to be adapted depending on the assay, enabling samples to be analyzed using the MALDI technique in just a few minutes, thanks to the fast scanning speed (10 kHz) with the smartbeam 3D laser. The easily accessible source allows quick cleaning to keep the equipment in optimal condition. These features provide high sensitivity.
Applications
he equipment is designed for the analysis of small molecules, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, etc., and has applications in the following areas:
• Research in life sciences: metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, glycomics, etc.
• Clinical research: discovery of biomarkers (metabolites, small molecules, lipids, peptides, and proteins...) in tissues using the instrument as MALDI IMAGING, contributing to the understanding of the spatial distribution of molecules and to interpret and detect biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of different diseases, focused on the development of personalized treatment.
• Compound characterization: molecular weight, exact mass measurement, fragmentations.
• Analysis of proteins, RNA, DNA: molecular weight, peptide mapping.
• Polymer analysis.
• Multi-omics assays through spatial localization of proteins by coupling MALDI IMAGING and MALDI HiPLEX-IHC, correlating the position of proteins in tissue with small molecules, lipids, carbohydrates, etc. Allows the use of more than 100 protein markers in a single assay.