Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 418746130

The main research focus of the Rostock Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology concerns the investigation of antitumorigenic mechanisms triggered by cannabinoids, cytostatic drugs and endogenous lipids such as ceramides, endocannabinoids and eicosanoids. In the latter context, the quantitative analysis of trace substances derived from biological material such as tumor cells, tissues or sera is of essential importance for understanding the specific mode of action underlying anti-tumour responses of these compounds. In comparison to the currently used mass spectrometer, the applied LC-MS/MS device will enhance this situation as follows: 1) Improved sensitivity down to the nano- to picogram range; 2) Superior scan rate enabling a simultaneous analysis of a higher number of ions without loss of sensitivity; 3) Fast switch of polarities allowing the simultaneous analysis of negative and positive ions in one LC-MS run. Altogether, the submitted mass spectrometer would decisively improve the analysis of small molecules in our lab. The device will support existing and intended projects of university-internal cooperations. Last but not least, the current standard of high-impact journals requires a high-sensitive quantitative analysis of samples derived from in vitro as well as in vivo experiments.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Triple Quadrupol Massenspektrometer
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Rostock
• Leader: Professor Dr. Burkhard Hinz