Alexander von Humboldt: Development of UV-MALDI- & IR-LDI-IMS methodology for discovery of lipid-based biomarkers for cross-kingdom pathogens

Inflammation is one of the multiple complex biological responses against harmful stimuli such as pathogens, and damaged cells. Abnormalities associated with inflammation comprise a large group of disorders which are related to a variety of diseases. One of the biological pathways activated during the inflammation response is the Lipoxygenase pathway, which is common in plant as well as in animal tissue. The goal of this research project is the development of a Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) methodology for discovery of lipid-based biomarkers produced during a pathogen attack on healthy plant and animal tissue.