Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry(MALDI-MS)for Disease Marker Screening and Identification:A Comprehensive Experiment Teaching Reform in Instrumental Analysis
This study aims to develop an innovative open-ended exploratory experiment that integrates research into undergraduate laboratory teaching by utilizing Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry(MALDI-MS)technology for disease biomarker screening and identification.In this experiment,α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid(CHCA)was chosen as the organic matrix,and an initial investigation examined the effect of different sampling methods on experimental results.The suitability of the matrix was further validated using five different small metabolic molecules.Specific serum metabolic fingerprints(SMPs)were then extracted from healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular diseases.By applying multivariate statistical analysis to large-scale data,a MALDI-MS platform was developed for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases,successfully distinguishing between healthy individuals and patients.The goal of this approach is to create an open and exploratory platform that combines experimental teaching with scientific research,enabling students to learn and master the principles,operations,and data analysis techniques of MALDI-MS while enhancing their research innovation capabilities and comprehensive thinking skills.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometryDisease screeningCardiovascular diseaseTeaching experiment