CHED 134 |
| Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry has become ubiquitous in the identification and analysis of biomacromolecules. MALDI has had a profound impact in the molecular biosciences by allowing the molecular weight determination of otherwise non-volatile molecules. We describe an experiment that demonstrates the power and utility of MALDI through the identification of microorganisms. The application of MALDI to intact bacteria produces a phenotypic profile or a “molecular fingerprint” that can be used for identification. As a “wet” laboratory, students establish a spectral library for six known bacterial species followed by the identification of an unknown sample. For use is a “dry” format, we have generated spectra for the known bacteria as well as binary unknown mixtures. This experiment has been used in our Biochemistry Laboratory course for one year with good student success in the identification of their unknown bacteria. The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the NSF (DUE 0126950) for support of this project. |
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NSF Catalyzed Innovations in the Undergraduate Curriculum
8:30 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 Seaport -- Flagship Room, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |