Analytical Biotechnology (ABT)
A novel mass spectrometry based focus
The Analytical Biotechnology group is set up around three major analytical themes. These include (1) miniaturization, (2) peptidomics technologies (including microbial peptidomics) and (3) mass spectrometry (MS) imaging.
1. Our ultimate goal in the miniaturization projects is single cell (biochemical) analysis. Successful achievements within this topic are (a) the implementation of enzyme assays in microbial as well as mammalian cells caught in so-called nanotiter plates, and (b) the design and implementation of various prototypes of single cell trapping microchips, the latter within the framework of a NanoNed project.
2. In the peptidomics area various MALDI and nanoUPLC based methods are being explored for (microbial) peptide analysis. Our proof-of-concept experiments show that MALDI Q-TOF MS of microliter amounts of yeast (S. cerevisiae) cell culture media allows for a specific detection/characterization of multiple peptide-like ions of microbial origin, including the long known peptide mating factors, as well as specific (non-tryptic) truncated forms of various yeast proteins.
3. Our MS imaging subject focuses on the creation of methodology which enables the use of MS for visualizing and localizing native peptides in their respective biological synthesis sites including both invertebrate and vertebrate neuroendocrine tissues. Particular interest here goes to the improvement of MS imaging resolution and specificity, so that future MS imaging of micro-organisms will become possible.
The Analytical Biotechnology group participates in the Delft Centre for Life Science and Technology (programme 5) and is a member of the Graduate Research School BSDL. Within the Department of Biotechnology the group collaborates with the Bioprocess Technology and Industrial Microbiology group.
Group leader
prof.dr. Peter D.E.M. Verhaert
Permanent staff
dr. M.W.H. Pinkse
Key words
Miniaturized analytical systems, Peptidomics, MALDI and (nano)ESI Mass Spectrometry (MS), Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Contact Information
Department of Biotechnology
Julianalaan 67
2628 BC Delft
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)15 278 4169
Web: www.bt.tudelft.nl/abt
