Objective:

To present advancements in mass spectrometry techniques for lipid analysis, peptide sequencing, and vaccine development.

Approach:

• Targeted nano-DESI tandem MSI: Used to separate low-abundance plasmalogens from more abundant lipids in mouse brain tissue.
• N-terminal chemical tagging for peptide sequencing: Implemented a coumarin-based tag to enhance de novo sequencing of short peptides.
• Fentanyl vaccine development: Developed a vaccine using a chemically distinct scaffold to generate broadly cross-reactive antibodies.
• Portable gas profiling: Combined miniRUEDI and GC-ECD for extended gas analysis capabilities.

Key Findings:

• The nano-DESI MSI workflow resolved 38 plasmalogen species and revealed distinct distributions in mouse brain tissue.
• The Me-Cou tag improved sequencing accuracy for short peptides, correctly identifying all 132 standards without misidentification.
• The fentanyl vaccine generated antibodies that recognized a broad range of fentanyl-class compounds while preserving ventilation in challenged mice.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• The fentanyl vaccine remains in preclinical stages and broad analogue recognition was primarily established through binding assays.

Conclusion:

The article highlights significant progress in mass spectrometry applications across various fields, including lipidomics, peptide analysis, and immunization strategies.