Infrared Spectroscopy Integrated with Mass Spectrometry
Philippe Maitre (Senior Researcher), Debora Scuderi (Prof), Guillaume van der Rest (Prof), Romaric Lenk (ITA)
This research theme is closely associated with the SMAS platform (Spectrometry, Mass Analysis, and Spectroscopy), which develops and operates two commercial spectrometers that have been modified and coupled to infrared lasers (CLIO and OPO/OPA) as well as UV lasers. These instruments are accessible to the broader scientific community via annual project calls from CLIO or through the national research infrastructure Infranalytics.
The primary goal of this research is to enhance the unique capabilities provided by SMAS. Within this framework, the coupling with a UV laser, in addition to infrared lasers, enables the generation of specific fragments and their structural characterization using IRMPD (InfraRed Multi-Photon Dissociation) spectroscopy. The development of Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DIMS) devices integrated with ion traps facilitates the selection of isomeric or conformeric ions prior to structural characterization, allowing for the direct quantification of isomers in real samples.
The team uses SMAS to address structural challenges, notably the oxidation of proteins and amino acids, particularly cysteine and methionine. Multiple oxidation products are possible, and only the combination of IRMPD action spectroscopy with quantum modeling allows for the definitive identification of the oxidized forms actually produced during amino acid oxidation reactions.
Applications include:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Study and characterization of post-translational and oxidative modifications in peptides
- Exploration of reactivity in the formation of organic molecules of interstellar interest
- Investigation of biomolecule photoreactivity by coupling UVPD (UV Photodissociation) spectroscopy with IRMPD spectroscopy
- Coupling ion mobility with IRMPD spectroscopy
-
-
-
-
-
-