Traditionally, molecules are analyzed in a test tube. Taking biochemistry as an example, the majority of our knowledge about cellular content comes from analysis of fixed cells or tissue homogenates using tools such as immunoblotting and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These tools can indicate the presence of molecules but do not provide information on their location or interaction wit...

In order to investigate metabolic properties of single cells of freshwater algae (Haematococcus pluvialis), we implement matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) in combination with microspectroscopic mapping. Straightforward coupling of these two detection platforms was possible thanks to the self-aliquoting properties of micro-arrays for mass spectrometry (MAMS...

In the present paper we addressed a mechanism of the myelin reorganization initiated by extracellular ATP and adenosine in sciatic nerves of the frog Rana temporaria. In combination with Raman microspectroscopy, allowing noninvasive live-cell measurements, we employed time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to follow the underlying changes in chemical composition of myelin mem...

This study describes the phenomena involved during regeneration of an aged industrial hydrodesulfurization catalyst (CoMoP/Al2O3) using a non-thermal plasma at low temperature (200 °C). The changes occurring were studied by characterizing spent, partially, and fully regenerated catalysts XRD, Raman, TEM spectroscopy, coke deposited on surface Laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spec...

The impact of melamine-contaminated animal feed ingredients on food safety has become a major public concern ever since melamine was identified as the organic compound responsible for the deaths of a significant number of cats and dogs in 2007 by way of adulterated pet food. Melamine, a common industrial chemical often added to resins to improve flame resistance and proposed as an alternative f...

Topical vaginal anti-HIV microbicides are an important focus in female-based strategies to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. Understanding microbicide pharmacokinetics is essential to development, characterization and implementation of efficacious microbicide drug delivery formulations. Current methods to measure drug concentrations in tissue (e.g., LC-MS/MS, liquid chromatography coupled...

Changbai jade is a type of ore with good economic value that found in the tuff Upper Triassic Formation Mesozoic period Jilin Province, China. However, mineral composition kaolinite group Jade has not been definitively identified, and there lack systematic mineralogical spectral analysis. To analyze spectroscopic characteristics jade, this study utilized several modern testing methods, includin...

Three rapid spectroscopic approaches for whole-organism fingerprinting-pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and dispersive Raman microscopy--were used to analyse a group of 59 clinical bacterial isolates associated with urinary tract infection. Direct visual analysis of these spectra was not possible, highlighting the need to use methods to reduce...

Protein aggregation results in the formation of long, unbranched -sheet-rich structures, commonly known as amyloid fibrils, which are believed to be a defense mechanism against the small and most toxic aggregates of misfolded proteins. Disulfide bonds limit the way in which a protein or a peptide can aggregate into these fibrils via steric restraint. There is great interest in understanding the...