Vol. 28 No. 1 February/March 2016 Informing European spectroscopists for over 40 years Raman spectroscopy of biological pigments Solid mixed matrices in MALDI/TOF-MS Solutions for Innovation UltraCOOL Probe · For maximum sensitivity · 800 and 600MHz - 5mm C-H and H-X type · 13C : > x5 higher sensitivity · 1H: > x4 higher sensitivity JEOL - NMR Probes Advanced Technology and Performance The SuperCOOL probe · Low cost nitrogen cooled probe · 400MHz 5mm tunable type · 13C : x3 higher sensitivity · 1H: > x3 higher sensitivity www.jeol.com AID_probes_a4v1.indd 1 14/04/2014 10:20 EDITORIAL Connecting Global Competence F As you will have noticed from this issue’s cover, we are making a 3 colourful start to 2016. In the first article on “The analytical niche for Raman spectroscopy in biological pigment research”, Daniel U2 Thomas and Cushla McGoverin suggest that Raman spectros- copy may have a particularly valuable role in pigment biology TU research. Pigments are almost universal in biology and are the basis of much of what we find attractive in flowers, birds and sea life, such as the fan corals on the cover. The authors show how NE3 RE4 Raman spectroscopy can be used to quickly confirm the pres- ence of a pigment as well as providing more detailed knowledge TW about unknown pigments. The bio theme moves to mass spectrometry in “Solid mixed matrices and their advantages in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ O4 ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry” by Marek Šebela. Getting the most from various matrices for use in matrix-assisted GL RK laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) has always been a bit of an art, and the introduction of mixed matrices increases the number of possible combinations but may improve reproducibility and so 03 simplify analysis in the end. The author describes mixed matri- ces for a range of samples including proteins, peptides, oligo - B saccharides, oligonucleotides, lipids, polymers and even intact 2 microbial cells! In the Tony Davies Column, vast amounts of data and how you AL2 handle them are investigated by Tony, and Shane Ellis, Benjamin Balluff and Ron Heeren from the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute. “Spectroscopic data handling at peta- byte scale” shows how one institute is dealing with truly huge amounts of data, both in its collection and in its distribution to Everything scientists for interpretation and analysis. At the same time, the related to biotechnology institute has been able to incorporate best practice around the in one hall FAIR Data Stewardship of scientific information. Peter Jenks looks back to the BERM 14 conference on biologi- cal and environmental reference materials in the Quality Matters Elementary Column. The next conference in the series returns to Europe: Berlin in June 2018. to your success. In the Sampling Column, Kim Esbensen and Claas Wagner continue our education about representative sampling. In The world’s largest network of trade fairs for laboratory technology, instrumental analysis and “Sampling quality assessment: the replication experiment”, they biotechnology features the complete range provide an overview of the issue of replication, which may not of products and services for all of your laboratory be as straightforward as might be expected at first. needs—in industry and research. The scientific We also have a Product Focus on Atomic Spectroscopy, many highlight is the analytica conference, where the international elite discusses the latest findings New Products, even before the tsunami that one can expect in biochemistry and laboratory medicine. from Pittcon next month, news of literature and nearly three Monacofiere, Tel. +39 02 4070 8301, pages of upcoming conferences, courses and exhibitions. [email protected] May 10–13, 2016 Messe München 25th International Trade Fair for Laboratory Technology, Analysis, Biotechnology and analytica conference www.analytica.de www.spectroscopyeurope.com ana16_Biotech_70x297_SPECTROSCOPY_E-ITA.indd 1 18.12.15 15:39 Vol. 28 No. 1 February 2016 ISSN 0966-0941 Informing European spectroscopists for over 40 years Raman spectroscopy of biological pigments Solid mixed matrices in MALDI/TOF-MS CONTENTS 3 Editorial 6 The analytical niche for Raman spectroscopy in biological pigment research Daniel Thomas and Cushla McGoverin believe Daniel B. Thomas and Cushla M. McGoverin that Raman spectroscopy has a niche for the investigation of biological pigments in many organisms including these sea fan corals. Read about this on page 6. 10 Solid mixed matrices and their advantages in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight Publisher mass spectrometry Ian Michael E-mail: [email protected] Marek Šebela Article Editor John Chalmers 15 Tony Davies Column VSConsulting, Stokesley, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Spectroscopic data handling at petabyte scale Advertising Sales UK and Ireland 18 Quality Matters Ian Michael BERM 14 retrospective: autumn in Maryland, USA IM Publications, 6 Charlton Mill, Charlton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0HY, United Kingdom. Tel: +44-1243-811334, Fax: +44-1243-811711, 20 Sampling Column E-mail: [email protected]. 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Printed in the UK by Headley Brothers Ltd, Ashford, Kent. 4 SPECTROSCOPYEUROPE Shimadzu_SpectroEurope_0216:Layout 1 15.12.15 16:33 Seite 1 IRTracer-100 – highly improved sensitivity meets expandability and easy maintenance It’s a matter of specs The IRTracer-100 provides quick and easy analysis in a variety of fields. This FTIR spectrophotome- ter for near, mid and far infrared range is perfect for pharmaceutical, chemical, food and environ- mental applications as well as for microanalysis (crime, forensics). The IRTracer-100 monitors high speed reactions within a second. • Outstanding sensitivity • LabSolutions IR software quickly and easily obtains high quality data unifies data handling with other laboratory hardware, e.g. LC and GC from Shimadzu • High-speed scanning of 20 spectra in a second in rapid scan mode • High performance library and search software containing 12,000 spectra and a unique contaminant • Expandability search program through software and hardware options The Shimadzu IRTracer-100 New Levels of Performance and Quality Created by Excellent Sensitivity, Speed and Resolution www.shimadzu.eu VOL. 28 NO. 1 (2016) ARTICLE The analytical niche for Raman spectroscopy in biological pigment research Daniel B. Thomasa and Cushla M. McGoverinb aInstitute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected] bThe Dodd Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Introduction ists. Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy HPLC and UV/vis. The aim of this short Pigments have important roles in the (UV/vis) and high-performance liquid review article is to show how Raman physiologies and ecologies of a diverse chromatography (HPLC) are staples of spectroscopy is being used in biological range of organisms, from unicellu - biochrome research, where the former is pigment research, beginning with studies lar algae to fungi, plants and animals non-destructive and the latter is routinely of carotenoid pigmentation. (see, for example, Figure 1). Biological used for chemical identification. Raman pigmentation is used for communication spectroscopy combines both of these Carotenoids and camouflage, as well as maintain- advantages into a single technique, but The characteristic colours of canaries, ing health, for producing and circulat - is relatively under-utilised in pigment marigolds, carrots and butterflies are all ing respiratory gases, and many other biology research. Raman spectroscopy examples of the yellow through orange functions. Pigmentation research often