Bruker Applied Mass Spectrometry at ASMS 2025

Talk #1: MALDI-TIMS-MS analysis of PFAS with timsTOF flex

Speaker: Tian (Autumn) Qiu, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of organic compounds that have attracted global attention for their persistence in the environment, exposure to biological organisms, and their adverse health effects. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is a chromatography-free MS method that performs laser-based ionization and in situ analysis on samples. In this talk, I will present our lab's recent progress in developing MALDI-MS analysis of PFAS with trapped ion mobility (TIMS) on various PFAS and demonstrating its application in fast assessment of PFAS-bacteria interactions.

Talk #2: The versatility of GC-APCI-tims-TOF for sub-ppt measurement of targeted POPs to non-targeted analysis of chemicals of emerging concern   

Speaker: Gauthier Eppe, Full Professor and Director of the MSLab and the Molecular Systems (MolSys) Research Unit, Université de Liège, Belgium

For the past decades, GC-HRMS based on magnetic sector instruments has been the main technique for dioxin quantification in food and environmental samples. Presented here is a novel workflow which combines GC-APCI with trapped ion mobility (TIMS) as an orthogonal criterion for the dioxin quantitation, and a high-resolution, ultra-sensitive QTOF. One main benefit is the reliable and sensitive quantification of various classes of POP like PCDDs/PCDFs, dioxin-like PCBs or dioxins jointly in a single GC run.

Talk #1: Rapid Detection of Novel Nitazene Analogs: Presumptive Identification of N-Pyrrolidino Butonitazene via DART-MRM

Speaker: Josh DeBord, Senior Scientist, CFSRE

This presentation documents the rapid detection and preliminary characterization of a novel nitazene analog within seized drug samples. An initial GC-MS screening revealed an unexpected peak, prompting further investigation using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) paired with Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM). The DART-MRM analysis enabled real-time determination of the parent ion and its most favorable fragmentation transitions. The resulting ion profiles were consistent with the theoretical fragmentation pattern for N-Pyrrolidino Butonitazene, supporting its presumptive identification. Additionally, the data hint at the potential presence of a second nitazene analog, warranting additional study. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of DART-MRM as a flexible, rapid, and high-throughput tool in forensic drug analysis, enhancing the ability to identify emerging synthetic opioids and informing both public health and law enforcement interventions.

Talk #2: Rapid Screening of Emerging NPS Using DART-MS: Sensitivity, Selectivity, and Easy Target Adaptation

Speaker: Terry Bates, Quantera Analytical 

The rapidly evolving landscape of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) presents an urgent and ever-present challenge for forensic labs. This talk explores the use of Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) as a rapid, chromatography-free approach for detecting synthetic cannabinoids, designer benzodiazepines, nitazenes, synthetic cathinones, novel stimulants, dissociatives, and other emerging NPS. We will discuss the underlying principles of DART-MS and why it is a natural fit for high throughput NPS screening. Key performance characteristics including sensitivity, selectivity, ruggedness, and the ease of incorporating new target analytes will be highlighted to demonstrate its practical utility in routine laboratory workflows. Real-world case examples will illustrate how DART-MS can streamline routine screening and support timely public health and law enforcement.

Talk #1: Efficient Chemical Biopsy Sample Prep Approach for Optimized DART-MS Workflows

Speaker: Janusz Pawliszyn, Professor, University of Waterloo

Fundamental understanding of extraction processes resulted in isolation of only small molecules from complex samples facilitating efficient clean-up.  The enriched analytes are desorbed from the coating directly into the instrument. Platform technology feature of SPME facilitates optimum design of the device for given application.

Talk #2: High-Throughput Chromatography-Free Screening of Illicit Drugs with DART-timsTOF

Speaker: Francisco Alberto Fernandez Lima, Professor, Florida International University

A combination of direct analysis in real-time (DART) with trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) and mass spectrometry allows for extremally fast screening of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), at the same time enabling baseline separation of many isomers that were previously indistinguishable by mass spectrometry alone. Mobility-aligned MS/MS fragmentation provides additional differentiation for challenging isomeric synthetic opioids. This multi-dimensional strategy offers comprehensive characterization of fentanyl analogs and other synthetic opioids with minimal sample preparation. The approach shows significant potential for high-throughput screening of emerging illicit drug threats, simultaneously addressing two major challenges: sample throughput and definitive identification of NPS.