Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Based on Nanophotonic Structure: From Material Design to Mechanistic Understanding

This book presents innovative laser desorption ionization (LDI)-active nanophotonic structures for addressing the challenges that matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is currently facing and for enhancing LDI efficiency. It presents a variety of cutting-edge nanophotonic structures to satisfy the mass-analytical needs of sensitivity, reproducibility, and quantification. As opposed to the commercialized, conventional organic matrix used in MALDI-MS, these nanostructures are validated to be highly effective in detecting small metabolites and drugs, highlighting their considerable potential in the mass spectrometry field. It also systematically elucidates fundamental LDI processes in terms of the photo-thermal, electronic, and structural characteristics of nanophotonic structures, offering mechanistic knowledge of LDI-MS. Even though LDI-MS performance is heavily influenced by a number of nanostructure parameters, relatively little is known about the LDI processes associated with those characteristics. An in-depth understanding of nanostructure characteristics and LDI mechanisms thus paves the way for more effective, rational design and development of nanostructures with improved LDI capabilities. Further, with a focus on multiple cascades in nanostructure functions in response to laser pulse stimuli, this book provides detailed, step-by-step procedures to design and construct a nanophotonic, LDI-active platform, which may serve as a roadmap for graduate students in the field of mass spectrometry. Readers, including graduate students, researchers, and experts working in the related areas of mass spectrometry, nanophotonics, and material science and material engineering, will find a wealth of useful information in this book.

Moon-Ju Kim received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Yonsei University, Korea, in Feb. 2023 as a Fellow of the Kwanjeong Educational Foundation. Her collective Ph.D. research involved the development of nanophotonic, redox-active structures for matrix-free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS), in situ strain and defect engineering of nanostructures for bioanalytical applications, and wearable breathing sensors and electrothermal energy harvesters for bioprotective applications. She is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Yonsei University. Her current focus is on nanophotonic material design, wearable skin patches with motion-sensing capabilities, and nanoplasmonic platforms for bacteriophage targeting and sensing. In 2022-2023, Dr. Kim was honored with four awards: the Yangsong Researcher Award, the Yangsong Excellence Poster Award, and the PACRIM Award from the Korean Ceramic Society, and the Outstanding Paper Award from Yonsei University Graduate School. She was also a recipient of several awards, scholarships, and grants: the NRF Postdoctral Fellowship, Postdoctoral Overseas Training Program, National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) in 2023; the Next Generation Researcher II Fellowship, International Research Collaboration Program, Yonsei University in 2023; the KHIDI Research Fellowship, Biomedical Global Talent Nurturing Program, Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) in 2022; the Kwanjeong Scholarship, Kwanjeong Educational Foundation in 2020-2022; the Yangsong Poster Excellence Paper Award, Korean Ceramic Society in 2019; the Outstanding Paper Award and Scholarship, Creative Materials Division for BK21+ Program, Yonsei University in 2019; the Excellence Poster Award, Korean Society for Mass Spectrometry (KSMS) in 2019; the Young Investigator Travel Grant, Association for Mass Spectrometry: Applications to the Clinical Laboratory (MSACL) in 2018; the Overseas Research Grant, Creative Materials Division for BK21+ Program, Yonsei University in 2018; the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University Graduate School in 2016-2017; the KOSAF Full Two-Year National Science & Technology Scholarship, Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF) in 2014-2016; and the High-Honor Student Student Award and Scholarship, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University in 2013, 2014, and 2016; and the Honor Student Award and Scholarship, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University in 2012.