Mass Spectrometry Facility

What is the MS Facility?

The MS Facility is an analytical laboratory that provides mass spectrometry-based methods of omics analysis (small molecules, peptides, proteins) as well as establishing new methods. The facility has a range of mass spectrometers available (including a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Eclipse with nano-LC coupling and a Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Plus with nano-LC coupling). Services offered include untargeted and targeted methods for identifying small molecules, proteins and peptides as well as the identification and quantification of post-translational modifications. Staff at the facility offer expert advice on experimental design and implementation as well as on the evaluation and interpretation of mass spectrometric data. They can also assist with bioinformatics analyses and can provide advice when applying for external research funding.

 

Who can use the MS Facility?

In principle, the facility can be used by all research departments at Saarland University. When capacity is available, samples will be analysed and processed in the order in which they are received. If all of the instruments are in use, samples will be processed in accordance with the following priority ranking (listed in order of descending priority):

  1. Research groups in Department 2.4 (Pharmacology and Toxicology) and instrument grant co-applicants
  2. Research groups within the Faculty of Medicine
  3. Research groups at the Saarbrücken campus

Exceptions will only be made for compelling reasons, e.g. data is urgently required for the resubmission of a manuscript. Any final decision on the order of processing will be taken by the heads of the facility. The facility may also be used by external research groups if capacity is available. Usage charges apply.

© PZMS

Who can use the MS Facility?

In principle, the facility can be used by all research departments at Saarland University. When capacity is available, samples will be analysed and processed in the order in which they are received. If all of the instruments are in use, samples will be processed in accordance with the following priority ranking (listed in order of descending priority):

  1. Research groups in Department 2.4 (Pharmacology and Toxicology) and instrument grant co-applicants
  2. Research groups within the Faculty of Medicine
  3. Research groups at the Saarbrücken campus

Exceptions will only be made for compelling reasons, e.g. data is urgently required for the resubmission of a manuscript. Any final decision on the order of processing will be taken by the heads of the facility. The facility may also be used by external research groups if capacity is available. Usage charges apply.

How can I make use of the MS Facility?

Data analysis is conducted by facility staff. We issue analytical reports to users in a variety of formats (Excel, PDF, HTML) and discuss the contents of the reports with them. Where appropriate, we will instruct users on how to use the free MS data visualization tools Proteome Discoverer Viewer (Thermo Scientific), Scaffold Viewer (Proteome Software) or Bionic (ProteinMetrics).

If you are interested in using the MS Facility, you will first need to arrange an appointment to discuss your project with the heads of the facility. Please contact us at  med-ms-facility(at)uni-saarland.de.

These meetings are strictly confidential and are used to discuss the planned experiments, to identify the most appropriate analytical techniques for the proposed project and to determine the likely project timeline and costs.