SELDITOF stands for "Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight." It is a technique used in mass spectrometry, which is a scientific method used to analyze the chemical composition and structure of molecules.
The surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) refers to a sample preparation technique, where the analyte molecules are bound to a surface, such as a chip or a slide, that has been pre-treated with a matrix to enhance the ionization process. This technique increases the detection sensitivity and allows for the analysis of complex mixtures, such as biological samples.
Laser desorption/ionization involves the use of laser energy to desorb the analyte molecules from the surface and convert them into ions. These ions are then accelerated in an electric field and separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio using a time-of-flight (TOF) analyzer. The TOF analyzer measures the time it takes for the ions to travel a specific distance, allowing for the determination of their mass.
SELDITOF is widely used in various fields, including proteomics, genomics, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics. It offers high-throughput analysis, which means it can process a large number of samples in a relatively short time. It is particularly useful for identifying biomarkers, studying protein-protein interactions, and characterizing protein post-translational modifications.
Overall, SELDITOF is a powerful analytical technique that combines the advantages of surface-enhanced sample preparation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry to provide detailed information about the composition and structure of molecules in a sample.
