It is important to understand the structure-function relationship in biomolecules and how this is precisely influenced by physical properties and responses to stressors. An advanced technique for investigating the structure and dynamics of biomolecules is X-ray action spectroscopy using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and soft X-ray techniques.
Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry provides a high degree of sensitivity and selectivity, while action spectroscopy allows the observation of the interactions of X-rays with proteins, nucleic acids and other biological components. Based on resonant inner-shell excitation and fragment-resolved yield spectra, this technique can be used to gain insight into the (electronic) structure and dynamics of site-selective dissociation pathways, conformational changes of biomolecules as well as their interactions with small molecules, metals or salts.
We develop advanced spectroscopic techniques to investigate biomolecules using Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Mass Spectrometry (NEXAMS). Our approach features a mobile, modular, and custom-designed electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometer, specifically tailored for experiments at cutting-edge X-ray facilities, i.e. synchrotrons and free-electron lasers (FELs), but also using table-top laser sources.
