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Yang H, Verhoeve VI, Chandler CE, Nallar S, Snyder GA, Ernst RK, Gillespie JJ. Structural determination of Rickettsia lipid A without chemical extraction confirms shorter acyl chains in later-evolving spotted fever group pathogens. mSphere 2024; 9:e0060923. [PMID: 38259062 PMCID: PMC10900879 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00609-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsiae are Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasites of numerous eukaryotes. Human pathogens of the transitional group (TRG), typhus group (TG), and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae infect blood-feeding arthropods, have dissimilar clinical manifestations, and possess unique genomic and morphological attributes. Lacking glycolysis, rickettsiae pilfer numerous metabolites from the host cytosol to synthesize peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For LPS, O-antigen immunogenicity varies between SFG and TG pathogens; however, lipid A proinflammatory potential is unknown. We previously demonstrated that Rickettsia akari (TRG), Rickettsia typhi (TG), and Rickettsia montanensis (SFG) produce lipid A with long 2' secondary acyl chains (C16 or C18) compared to short 2' secondary acyl chains (C12) in Rickettsia rickettsii (SFG) lipid A. To further probe this structural heterogeneity and estimate a time point when shorter 2' secondary acyl chains originated, we generated lipid A structures for two additional SFG rickettsiae (Rickettsia rhipicephali and Rickettsia parkeri) utilizing fast lipid analysis technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry (FLATn). FLATn allowed analysis of lipid A structure directly from host cell-purified bacteria, providing a substantial improvement over lipid A chemical extraction. FLATn-derived structures indicate SFG rickettsiae diverging after R. rhipicephali evolved shorter 2' secondary acyl chains. While 2' secondary acyl chain lengths do not distinguish Rickettsia pathogens from non-pathogens, in silico analyses of Rickettsia LpxL late acyltransferases revealed discrete active sites and hydrocarbon rulers for long versus short 2' secondary acyl chain addition. Our collective data warrant determining Rickettsia lipid A inflammatory potential and how structural heterogeneity impacts lipid A-host receptor interactions.IMPORTANCEDeforestation, urbanization, and homelessness lead to spikes in Rickettsioses. Vector-borne human pathogens of transitional group (TRG), typhus group (TG), and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae differ by clinical manifestations, immunopathology, genome composition, and morphology. We previously showed that lipid A (or endotoxin), the membrane anchor of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), structurally differs in Rickettsia rickettsii (later-evolving SFG) relative to Rickettsia montanensis (basal SFG), Rickettsia typhi (TG), and Rickettsia akari (TRG). As lipid A structure influences recognition potential in vertebrate LPS sensors, further assessment of Rickettsia lipid A structural heterogeneity is needed. Here, we sidestepped the difficulty of ex vivo lipid A chemical extraction by utilizing fast lipid analysis technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry, a new procedure for generating lipid A structures directly from host cell-purified bacteria. These data confirm that later-evolving SFG pathogens synthesize structurally distinct lipid A. Our findings impact interpreting immune responses to different Rickettsia pathogens and utilizing lipid A adjuvant or anti-inflammatory properties in vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria I. Verhoeve
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Courtney E. Chandler
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shreeram Nallar
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Greg A. Snyder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph J. Gillespie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Carpenter JM, Hynds HM, Bimpeh K, Hines KM. HILIC-IM-MS for Simultaneous Lipid and Metabolite Profiling of Bacteria. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2024; 4:104-116. [PMID: 38404491 PMCID: PMC10885331 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.3c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Although MALDI-ToF platforms for microbial identifications have found great success in clinical microbiology, the sole use of protein fingerprints for the discrimination of closely related species, strain-level identifications, and detection of antimicrobial resistance remains a challenge for the technology. Several alternative mass spectrometry-based methods have been proposed to address the shortcomings of the protein-centric approach, including MALDI-ToF methods for fatty acid/lipid profiling and LC-MS profiling of metabolites. However, the molecular diversity of microbial pathogens suggests that no single "ome" will be sufficient for the accurate and sensitive identification of strain- and susceptibility-level profiling of bacteria. Here, we describe the development of an alternative approach to microorganism profiling that relies upon both metabolites and lipids rather than a single class of biomolecule. Single-phase extractions based on butanol, acetonitrile, and water (the BAW method) were evaluated for the recovery of lipids and metabolites from Gram-positive and -negative microorganisms. We found that BAW extraction solutions containing 45% butanol provided optimal recovery of both molecular classes in a single extraction. The single-phase extraction method was coupled to hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) to resolve similar-mass metabolites and lipids in three dimensions and provide multiple points of evidence for feature annotation in the absence of tandem mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that the combined use of metabolites and lipids can be used to differentiate microorganisms to the species- and strain-level for four of the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using data from a single ionization mode. These results present promising, early stage evidence for the use of multiomic signatures for the identification of microorganisms by liquid chromatography, ion mobility, and mass spectrometry that, upon further development, may improve upon the level of identification provided by current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana M. Carpenter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Hannah M. Hynds
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Kingsley Bimpeh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Kelly M. Hines
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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Di Lorenzo F, Paparo L, Pisapia L, Oglio F, Pither MD, Cirella R, Nocerino R, Carucci L, Silipo A, de Filippis F, Ercolini D, Molinaro A, Berni Canani R. The chemistry of gut microbiome-derived lipopolysaccharides impacts on the occurrence of food allergy in the pediatric age. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1266293. [PMID: 37900913 PMCID: PMC10606559 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1266293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Food allergy (FA) in children is a major health concern. A better definition of the pathogenesis of the disease could facilitate effective preventive and therapeutic measures. Gut microbiome alterations could modulate the occurrence of FA, although the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are poorly characterized. Gut bacteria release signaling byproducts from their cell wall, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), which can act locally and systemically, modulating the immune system function. Methods: In the current study gut microbiome-derived LPS isolated from fecal samples of FA and healthy children was chemically characterized providing insights into the carbohydrate and lipid composition as well as into the LPS macromolecular nature. In addition, by means of a chemical/MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS approach we elucidated the gut microbiome-derived lipid A mass spectral profile directly on fecal samples. Finally, we evaluated the pro-allergic and pro-tolerogenic potential of these fecal LPS and lipid A by harnessing peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Results: By analyzing fecal samples, we have identified different gut microbiome-derived LPS chemical features comparing FA children and healthy controls. We also have provided evidence on a different immunoregulatory action elicited by LPS on peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from healthy donors suggesting that LPS from healthy individuals could be able to protect against the occurrence of FA, while LPS from children affected by FA could promote the allergic response. Discussion: Altogether these data highlight the relevance of gut microbiome-derived LPSs as potential biomarkers for FA and as a target of intervention to limit the disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaviana Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Paparo
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- ImmunoNutritionLab at CEINGE Biotechnologies Research Center, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- European Laboratory for Investigation of Food Induced Diseases, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Pisapia
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Franca Oglio
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- ImmunoNutritionLab at CEINGE Biotechnologies Research Center, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Cirella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Nocerino
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- ImmunoNutritionLab at CEINGE Biotechnologies Research Center, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Carucci
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- ImmunoNutritionLab at CEINGE Biotechnologies Research Center, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca de Filippis
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Agriculture, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Danilo Ercolini
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Agriculture, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Roberto Berni Canani
- Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- ImmunoNutritionLab at CEINGE Biotechnologies Research Center, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
- European Laboratory for Investigation of Food Induced Diseases, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Rogga V, Kosalec I. Untying the anchor for the lipopolysaccharide: lipid A structural modification systems offer diagnostic and therapeutic options to tackle polymyxin resistance. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2023; 74:145-166. [PMID: 37791675 PMCID: PMC10549895 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2023-74-3717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymyxin antibiotics are the last resort for treating patients in intensive care units infected with multiple-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Due to their polycationic structure, their mode of action is based on an ionic interaction with the negatively charged lipid A portion of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The most prevalent polymyxin resistance mechanisms involve covalent modifications of lipid A: addition of the cationic sugar 4-amino-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) and/or phosphoethanolamine (pEtN). The modified structure of lipid A has a lower net negative charge, leading to the repulsion of polymyxins and bacterial resistance to membrane disruption. Genes encoding the enzymatic systems involved in these modifications can be transferred either through chromosomes or mobile genetic elements. Therefore, new approaches to resistance diagnostics have been developed. On another note, interfering with these enzymatic systems might offer new therapeutic targets for drug discovery. This literature review focuses on diagnostic approaches based on structural changes in lipid A and on the therapeutic potential of molecules interfering with these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Rogga
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Microbiology, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Kosalec
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Microbiology, Zagreb, Croatia
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Yang H, Verhoeve VI, Chandler CE, Nallar S, Snyder GA, Ernst RK, Gillespie JJ. Structural determination of Rickettsia lipid A without chemical extraction confirms shorter acyl chains in later-evolving Spotted Fever Group pathogens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.06.547954. [PMID: 37461656 PMCID: PMC10350050 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.06.547954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Rickettsiae are Gram-negative obligate intracellular parasites of numerous eukaryotes. Human pathogens of the Transitional Group (TRG), Typhus Group (TG), and Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae infect blood-feeding arthropods, have dissimilar clinical manifestations, and possess unique genomic and morphological attributes. Lacking glycolysis, rickettsiae pilfer numerous metabolites from host cytosol to synthesize peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For LPS, O-antigen immunogenicity varies between SFG and TG pathogens; however, lipid A proinflammatory potential is unknown. We previously demonstrated that R. akari (TRG), R. typhi (TG), and R. montanensis (SFG) produce lipid A with long 2' secondary acyl chains (C16 or C18) compared to short 2' secondary acyl chains (C12) in R. rickettsii (SFG) lipid A. To further probe this structural heterogeneity and estimate a time point when shorter 2' secondary acyl chains originated, we generated lipid A structures for two additional SFG rickettsiae ( R. rhipicephali and R. parkeri ) utilizing Fast Lipid Analysis Technique adopted for use with tandem mass spectrometry (FLAT n ). FLAT n allowed analysis of lipid A structure directly from host cell-purified bacteria, providing substantial improvement over lipid A chemical extraction. FLAT n -derived structures indicate SFG rickettsiae diverging after R. rhipicephali evolved shorter 2' secondary acyl chains. Bioinformatics analysis of Rickettsia LpxL late acyltransferases revealed discrete active sites and hydrocarbon rulers for long versus short 2' secondary acyl chain addition. While the significance of different lipid A structures for diverse Rickettsia pathogens is unknown, our success using FLAT n will facilitate determining how structural heterogeneity impacts interactions with host lipid A receptors and overall inflammatory potential. IMPORTANCE Deforestation, urbanization, and homelessness lead to spikes in Rickettsioses. Vector-borne human pathogens of Transitional Group (TRG), Typhus Group (TG), and Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae differ by clinical manifestations, immunopathology, genome composition, and morphology. We previously showed that lipid A (or endotoxin), the membrane anchor of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), structurally differs in R. rickettsii (later-evolving SFG) relative to R. montanensis (basal SFG), R. typhi (TG), and R. akari (TRG). As lipid A structure influences recognition potential in vertebrate LPS sensors, further assessment of Rickettsia lipid A structural heterogeneity is needed. Here, we sidestepped the difficulty of ex vivo lipid A chemical extraction by utilizing FLAT n , a new procedure for generating lipid A structures directly from host cell-purified bacteria. These data confirm later-evolving SFG pathogens synthesize structurally distinct lipid A. Our findings impact interpreting immune responses to different Rickettsia pathogens and utilizing lipid A adjuvant or anti-inflammatory properties in vaccinology.
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Yang H, Sherman ME, Koo CJ, Treaster LM, Smith JP, Gallaher SG, Goodlett DR, Sweet CR, Ernst RK. Structure Determination of Lipid A with Multiple Glycosylation Sites by Tandem MS of Lithium-Adducted Negative Ions. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:1047-1055. [PMID: 37184080 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
FLATn is a tandem mass spectrometric technique that can be used to rapidly generate spectral information applicable for structural elucidation of lipids like lipid A from Gram-negative bacterial species from a single bacterial colony. In this study, we extend the scope and capability of FLATn by tandem MS fragmentation of lithium-adducted molecular lipid A anions and fragments (FLATn-Li) that provides additional structural and diagnostic data from FLATn samples allowing for the discrimination of terminal phosphate modifications in a variety of pathogenic and environmental species. Using FLATn-Li, we elucidated the lipid A structure from several bacterial species, including novel structures from arctic bacterioplankton of the Duganella and Massilia genera that favor 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinopyranose (Ara4N) modification at the 1-phosphate position and that demonstrate double glycosylation with Ara4N at the 1 and 4' phosphate positions simultaneously. The structures characterized in this work demonstrate that some environmental psychrophilic species make extensive use of this structural lipid A modification previously characterized as a pathogenic adaptation and the structural basis of resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. This observation extends the role of phosphate modification(s) in environmental species adaptation and suggests that Ara4N modification can functionally replace the positive charge of the phosphoethanolamine modification that is more typically found attached to the 1-phosphate position of modified lipid A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyojik Yang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
| | - Matthew E Sherman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
| | - Caitlyn J Koo
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
- School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States of America
| | - Logan M Treaster
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, United States of America
| | - Joseph P Smith
- Oceanography Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - Shawn G Gallaher
- Oceanography Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - David R Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
- Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7Z8, Canada
| | - Charles R Sweet
- Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, United States of America
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States of America
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Pětrošová H, Mikhael A, Culos S, Giraud-Gatineau A, Gomez AM, Sherman ME, Ernst RK, Cameron CE, Picardeau M, Goodlett DR. Lipid A structural diversity among members of the genus Leptospira. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1181034. [PMID: 37303810 PMCID: PMC10248169 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid A is the hydrophobic component of bacterial lipopolysaccharide and an activator of the host immune system. Bacteria modify their lipid A structure to adapt to the surrounding environment and, in some cases, to evade recognition by host immune cells. In this study, lipid A structural diversity within the Leptospira genus was explored. The individual Leptospira species have dramatically different pathogenic potential that ranges from non-infectious to life-threatening disease (leptospirosis). Ten distinct lipid A profiles, denoted L1-L10, were discovered across 31 Leptospira reference species, laying a foundation for lipid A-based molecular typing. Tandem MS analysis revealed structural features of Leptospira membrane lipids that might alter recognition of its lipid A by the host innate immune receptors. Results of this study will aid development of strategies to improve diagnosis and surveillance of leptospirosis, as well as guide functional studies on Leptospira lipid A activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Pětrošová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Abanoub Mikhael
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Sophie Culos
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | | | - Alloysius M. Gomez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew E. Sherman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Caroline E. Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Mathieu Picardeau
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 6047, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, Paris, France
| | - David R. Goodlett
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- University of Victoria Genome British Columbia Proteomics Center, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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High-end ion mobility mass spectrometry: A current review of analytical capacity in omics applications and structural investigations. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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