The Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris 240 mass spectrometer coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), funded by the DFG, provides high-resolution, accurate-mass (HRM) analysis for comprehensive multi-omics profiling. By combining resolving power up to 240,000 FWHM, ppm range mass accuracy, and fast scan speeds, the platform enables confident qualitative identification and robust quantitative profiling of complex biological matrices. Both, small molecules (metabolomics) and peptides (shot-gun proteomcs) are measured using this device.
Proteomics :
- Chromatography: C18 stationary phases optimized for peptide separation across standard and extended gradients.
- Mass Spectrometry: High-resolution precursor and data-dependent acquisition (DDA) or data-independent acquisition (DIA) leading to high-throughput identification, label-free quantification (LFQ), and targeted verification of protein expression.
Metabolomics:
- Chromatography: Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC) tailored for polar and ionic cellular metabolites (e.g., central carbon intermediates, phosphorylated sugars, organic acids, and nucleotides).
- Mass Spectrometry: Negative electrospray ionization (ESI−), providing high selectivity and minimal in-source fragmentation for key pathway metabolites. This allows for untargeted profiling as well as targeted isotope-assisted metabolomics and metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA).
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification / Capability |
| Mass Analyzer | Orbitrap mass analyzer with Quadrupole precursor selection |
| Maximum Resolution | Up to 240,000 at m/z 200 |
| Mass Accuracy | <1 ppm internal calibration; <3 ppm external calibration |
| Front-End Separation | UHPLC supporting high backpressure and micro-flow regimes |
| Ionization Source | Heated Electrospray Ionization (H-ESI) with polarity switching |
| Scan Rates | Up to 22 Hz for fast UHPLC peak sampling |
Collaborative Access & Project Contact
Our MS facility supports fundamental and applied bioprocess research, host organism characterization, and in-vitro system analysis. We welcome academic and industrial collaborations.
- Contact: Dr. Anna Becker or Prof. Dr. Aljoscha Wahl