matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a technique used to analyze large molecules, like proteins, by turning them into ions without breaking them apart. In MALDI, the sample is mixed with a special sugar-like substance called a matrix, which absorbs laser energy. When a laser pulse hits, the matrix helps gently eject the molecules into the gas phase and ionize them—giving them a charge. These charged molecules can then be measured in a mass spectrometer, allowing scientists to identify and study their structure and size accurately. MALDI is widely used in scientific research and clinical diagnostics for analyzing complex biological molecules.