Curriculum Vitae

Research of the Helios-LTP-MS Project

The project’s research focuses on developing innovative ion sources for mass spectrometry to enable the direct identification of low-molecular-weight metabolites from living microorganisms and cells. The aim is to establish an analytical technique that allows mass spectrometric investigation without causing damage to the organisms.

The newly developed ion sources offer significant advantages: they enable the analysis of living microorganisms without the need for prior chemical extraction. This not only reduces the use of environmentally harmful solvents but also saves valuable time previously required for sample preparation.

In addition, the new ion sources allow in situ derivatization of metabolites during analysis and provide an HPLC-like separation based on molecular volatility. These features open up new possibilities for studying and identifying bioactive metabolites directly in their natural environment.

A particular focus lies on the analysis of co-cultures to gain a more detailed understanding of interactions between different organisms. Repeated mass spectrometric measurements across various growth phases enable experimental approaches that were previously not feasible.

Another key aspect involves the investigation of bacterial metabolite patterns under exposure to antimicrobial agents. Mass spectrometry can be used to monitor changes in metabolite composition, allowing molecular responses of microorganisms to these compounds to be characterized more efficiently. At the same time, quantitative insights into the stability and lifespan of the antimicrobial agents can be obtained.