Definition: A mass spectrometric technique that is used for the analysis of large biomolecules. Analyte molecules are embedded in an excess matrix of small organic molecules that show a high resonant absorption at the laser wavelength used. The matrix absorbs the laser energy, thus inducing a soft disintegration of the sample-matrix mixture into free (gas phase) matrix and analyte molecules and molecular ions. In general, only molecular ions of the analyte molecules are produced, and almost no fragmentation occurs. This makes the method well suited for molecular weight determinations and mixture analysis.
Other names Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass S; Mass Spectroscopy, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorptio; Mass Spectrometry, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorptio; MALDI MS; Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Mat; Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization Mass ; SELDI-TOF-MS; MS-MALD; MALDI-MS; Spectroscopy, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorpti; Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Mass S; Mass Spectroscopy, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorptio; Mass Spectrometry, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorptio; MALDI; Laser Desorption-Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Mat; MALD-MS
