Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)01:08

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a powerful analytical technique used in mass spectrometry. It enables the identification and characterization of various biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. MALDI is an ionization technique, widely employed in biological and medical research, as well as in fields like pharmacology and biochemistry.The analyte of interest, a biomolecule or a mixture of biomolecules, is mixed with a suitable matrix...
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry01:19

MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful characterization technique that can identify and separate a wide variety of compounds ranging from chemical to biological entities, based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). The instruments that allow this detection, known as mass spectrometers, have three components: an ion source, a mass analyzer, and a detector. These spectrometers differ based on the nature of their ion source and analyzers.Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry01:21

Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry

The molecular ion peak of a molecule in the mass spectrum provides vital information for molecular identification. However, conventional electron impact ionization can lead to the rapid dissociation of some molecular ions before they reach the detector. A milder ionization method is required to increase the lifetime of such ionized analyte molecules. Chemical ionization (CI) is a gas-phase protonation reaction useful for mass-analyzing analyte molecules that are easily protonated to yield the...
Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview01:19

Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview

In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry01:12

Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Mass Spectrometry

Higher molecular weight biomolecules are nonvolatile compounds that may decompose before ionizing or vaporizing during mass analysis with conventional electron impact ionization methods. Accordingly, electrospray ionization (ESI) is the favored method for vaporizing and ionizing biomolecules as it circumvents rapid fragmentation and enables the recording of mass signals for the entire biomolecule.
ESI utilizes electrical energy to transfer ions from the liquid phase of the sample into the...
Mass Spectrometers01:16

Mass Spectrometers

This lesson details the instrumentation of a mass spectrometer—a physical instrument to perform mass spectrometry on analyte molecules and record the characteristic mass spectra. This is achieved via three chief functions:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cervical spondylosis with propriospinal myoclonus and vocalization: a case report.

Frontiers in surgery·2026
Same author

IgG Gal-ratio, a promising serum biomarker for detecting ovarian cancer in as early as stage I disease.

Journal of ovarian research·2026
Same author

Harnessing solid CO<sub>2</sub> in hybrid alkaline cement: Dry ice as a pathway to high-performance and low-emission materials.

Environmental research·2026
Same author

Theoretical Study of High-Order Velocity Focusing Achieved with Single-Stage Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry·2025
Same author

Recent Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Related Technical Challenges in MALDI MS and MALDI-MSI: A Mini Review.

Mass spectrometry (Tokyo, Japan)·2025
Same author

Decomposition of methanol activated by surface under-coordinated Pd on layered PdTe<sub>2</sub>.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2025
Same journal

Predicting Nirmatrelvir Resistance in SARS-CoV-2 M<sup>pro</sup> Mutants with an Integrated Computational Framework.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same journal

From Cation Solvation to Anion Coordination: Lewis-Acidic Boranes Enable Halide Salt Electrolytes.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same journal

In Vitro-Prepared A30P Alpha-Synuclein Fibrils Adopt the Conserved and Disease-Relevant Greek Key Fold.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same journal

Metastructure Analysis of Self-Assembled Nanocubes with Different Equatorial Methyl Groups Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same journal

A Cocoordinated <sup>1</sup>H Internal Reference Quantifies Proton-Exchange Bias in Coordinated-Water Diffusion.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
Same journal

Unveiling Electrolyte-Dependent Coordination Site Dynamics for Redox Mediator Design in Lithium-O<sub>2</sub> Batteries: Exchange vs Rearrangement.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer
09:38

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Published on: November 26, 2013

Initial ionization reaction in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization.

Bo-Hong Liu1, Oleg P Charkin, Nina Klemenko

  • 1Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei 115, Taiwan, ROC.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|August 4, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Photoelectron ejection precedes matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and is key to initial ionization. Lowering matrix material thickness reduces photoelectron intensity, impacting MALDI ion production.

More Related Videos

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
07:12

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 29, 2018

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
06:56

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

Published on: June 10, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer
09:38

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Published on: November 26, 2013

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
07:12

An Efficient Sample Preparation Method to Enhance Carbohydrate Ion Signals in Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Published on: July 29, 2018

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry
06:56

Characterization of Synthetic Polymers via Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

Published on: June 10, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a widely used technique for analyzing biomolecules.
  • The initial ionization mechanisms in MALDI are not fully understood.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing MALDI performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the initial ionization processes in MALDI by studying photoelectron emission.
  • To determine the role of the matrix material and substrate in photoelectron ejection.
  • To elucidate the relationship between photoelectron production and MALDI ion formation.

Main Methods:

  • Photoelectron spectroscopy was used to measure the threshold laser fluence for photoelectron ejection from common MALDI matrices (DHB, SA, THAP) on stainless steel substrates.
  • Experiments were conducted with varying matrix thicknesses and in suspension to assess substrate influence.
  • Ab initio calculations were performed to study the ionization potentials of matrix clusters.

Main Results:

  • The threshold laser fluence for photoelectron ejection was significantly lower than for MALDI ion formation, indicating electron detachment precedes ionization.
  • The stainless steel substrate had a minimal effect on photoelectron production.
  • Photoelectron intensity increased with laser fluence in a sub-second-order relationship, suggesting reduced ionization potentials for matrix clusters.

Conclusions:

  • Electron detachment is a primary event in MALDI, occurring before other ionization reactions.
  • The ionization potential of matrix molecules decreases with increasing cluster size.
  • The abundant photoelectrons generated likely play a significant role in subsequent MALDI ion production.