Category: instruments

Theoretical limit on mass resolution depends on the length of time-of-flight tube in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

March 27, 2024

Mass resolution is critical for instrumental mass spectrometry instruments as it depends on how well closely separated molecules can be effectively detected in mass spectrometry. Closely separated molecules here refer to molecules with very close molecular weight, with differences less than 5 Da. In matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), … More Theoretical limit on mass resolution depends on the length of time-of-flight tube in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Time of flight mass detector serves as mass separator in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

March 26, 2024

Mass spectrometry is the workhorse of proteomics in the past 10 to 15 years starting with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). But, ESI-MS still relies on the separation of compounds effected by liquid chromatography. A newer gentle ionization approach known as matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) does not need … More Time of flight mass detector serves as mass separator in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Single modality PET scan lacks spatial resolution which affects its clinical utility in surgical decision making

March 5, 2024

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine technique able to track the distribution of particular metabolites in the human body through conjugating a radionuclide with the metabolite. One example is glucose, where radioisotope labelled glucose could be used to track the metabolism of glucose in different parts of the body. However, the signal readout … More Single modality PET scan lacks spatial resolution which affects its clinical utility in surgical decision making

Image reconstruction is the key technological hinge that determines the spatial and temporal resolution achievable in modern medical imaging

February 25, 2024

Modern medical imaging is powered by five major modalities that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging, computed tomography (CT), planar X-ray, and nuclear medicine (positron emission tomography (PET) or single positron emission computed tomography, SPECT). Only planar X-ray does not need image reconstruction, which highlights the critical importance of image reconstruction algorithms and methods … More Image reconstruction is the key technological hinge that determines the spatial and temporal resolution achievable in modern medical imaging

MALDI matrix helps transfer laser energy to ionize the biomolecules for mass spectrometric detection

February 21, 2024

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight mass spectrometry is an established analytical technique for proteins, lipids, and biomolecules detection. But, there remains an “art” in this science technique. Specifically, scientists still do not have a thorough understanding of the ionization process in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Such a situation leads to non-optimized protocols, … More MALDI matrix helps transfer laser energy to ionize the biomolecules for mass spectrometric detection

Different contrast windows are needed to differentiate and visualize different organ structures in computed tomography

February 20, 2024

Computed tomography offers detailed anatomical description of different body regions by scanning the region with X-rays from different angles. This generates a multitude of slices that need to be stitch back into a single paranormal view in an image reconstruction. Basically, computed tomography is X-ray imaging with a rotating X-ray source and detector. In X-ray … More Different contrast windows are needed to differentiate and visualize different organ structures in computed tomography

Survey of potentially dangerous asteroids and comets with radar and detection with interferometry at radio telescope arrays

February 19, 2024

Asteroid and comet impact may pose an existential threat to human civilisation on Earth. Hence, there are a variety of space-based and ground-based methods for early detection of incoming asteroids and comets. This blog post would like to propose an additional method for early detection and tracking of incoming asteroids and comets. Specifically, the method … More Survey of potentially dangerous asteroids and comets with radar and detection with interferometry at radio telescope arrays

Orbiter at Pluto may provide early warming for Kuiper Belt asteroids and comets moving into the Solar System

February 19, 2024

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft made a successful flyby of Pluto in 2015, and there has been discussion of a follow-up orbiter mission to study, in detail, the potential geological processes on this icy planet. While an orbiter mission will necessarily be packed with spectrograph, mass spectrometer, neutron mass spectrometer, and an array of imaging cameras … More Orbiter at Pluto may provide early warming for Kuiper Belt asteroids and comets moving into the Solar System

Increasing use of robotic surgery in minimally invasive surgical procedures

February 18, 2024

Since inception, minimally invasive surgery has been a boon for patients and surgeons. Specifically, minimally invasive surgery uses small incision to access the patient’s organs and bone, and thus, reduces trauma and time needed to recover after surgery. Though technically more complex than conventional surgery, minimally invasive surgery has seen increasing use in many countries, … More Increasing use of robotic surgery in minimally invasive surgical procedures

Cryo-electron microscopy has reached resolution on par with X-ray crystallography

February 1, 2024

Compared to the more established X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy images were of lower resolution until a recent breakthrough that brought forth a “resolution revolution”. Specifically, advances in instrument setup, optics, and reconstruction software helped ushered in a new era in cryo-electron microscopy where resolution of images could reach 1.25 Angstrom. This is similar to that … More Cryo-electron microscopy has reached resolution on par with X-ray crystallography