MALDI-TOF

Definition

MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight) is a mass spectrometry technique used for identifying microorganisms by analyzing their protein composition. It provides rapid and accurate microbial identification by comparing the protein spectra to a reference database.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MALDI-TOF is highly effective in identifying bacteria, fungi, and viruses based on their protein profiles.
2. The technique involves ionizing proteins with a laser, which are then separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio using time-of-flight analysis.
3. MALDI-TOF can identify microorganisms within minutes, making it an essential tool for clinical microbiology laboratories.
4. Sample preparation for MALDI-TOF involves mixing the microorganism with a matrix compound that helps in the ionization process.
5. MALDI-TOF has significantly reduced the time required for microbial identification compared to traditional biochemical methods.

Review Questions

• What does MALDI-TOF stand for, and what is its primary use?
• How does MALDI-TOF differentiate between different microorganisms?
• Why is MALDI-TOF considered advantageous over traditional biochemical methods?

Related terms

Mass Spectrometry: An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.

Protein Profiling: The process of identifying and quantifying proteins in a sample.

Microbial Identification: The process of determining the specific type of microorganism present in a sample.