Laboratory of  Molecular Structure Characterization

Laboratory Orientation

Our laboratory combines three analytical tools for the characterization of molecular structure: mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The instrumentation is spread across buildings A, C, U and L on campus. In addition to our own analytical and microbiology research, contractual work is provided for academic and industrial partners (reQuest application).

The mass spectrometry group is focused on microbial metabolomics and multimodal imaging (https://ms.biomed.cas.cz/currentprojects.php). In a multidisciplinary approach called infection metallomics, we describe noninvasive investigation of frenemy interplay at the pathogen-host interface in real time. The approach is based on liquid chromatography-electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry combined with isotopic data filtering. The nuclear magnetic resonance group operates a four-channel 700 MHz instrument with a cryo-probe dedicated to protein analysis. An analogous 600 MHz NMR instrument running in an HPLC-NMR configuration is used in metabolomics projects (murine lipoatrophy and diabetes mellitus). It can also be linked online to a Q-TOF mass spectrometer. The microscopy group runs multiple electron microscopes and optical microscopy equipment. An FEI NanoSEM 450 scanning electron microscope was equipped with a CBS detector for high-resolution imaging of nonconductive samples and an EDAX Octane Plus detector for EDS analysis and elemental mapping. Image data fusion is facilitated by our own cross-platform tool called CycloBranch. In accordance with other laboratory groups, extensive service measurements are being carried out for the whole biological campus in Krč, as documented by a considerable number of collaborations and joint publications. Practical instrument sharing with Palacky University in Olomouc, Charles University in Prague, Purkinje University in Ústí nad Labem and the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague is enabled through our part-time or full-time scientists.