Lipid Membranes Enabling MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Protein Analysis

This technology is the use of planar supported lipid bilayer to create the stability for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.  

Background:
MALDI-TOF is an effective method to detect biological analytes from complex samples. MALDI-TOF MS is effective to extract biological analytes by label-free detection and identification. Unfortunately, these proteins bind to membrane-associated receptors, making it incompatible for MALDI-TOF MS with artificial lipid membranes. Cross-linking polymerization of planar supported lipid bilayer provides the stability for MALDI-TOF MS analysis of transmembrane proteins.

Applications:

• Bio-sensing for developing improved transmembrane protein detection tools
• Detection tool in novel drug targets and processes

Advantages:

• Proteins bound to membrane-associated receptors make it incompatible for MALDI-TOF MS with artificial lipid membranes
• Cross-linking polymerization of planar supported lipid bilayer provides the stability for MALDI-TOF MS analysis of transmembrane proteins
• Technology does not require antibodies or a label unlike current protein array options
• Minimal possibility of cross-sensitivity