Research
Structural Mass Spectrometry
We develop innovative analytical methodologies in structural mass spectrometry to characterize complex biomolecules at unprecedented structural resolution. By combining advanced chromatographic separations, complementary fragmentation strategies, including electron-activated dissociation (EAD), and high-resolution mass spectrometry, we reveal molecular information that remains inaccessible to conventional analytical approaches. Our current research focuses on lipids and glycolipids, moving beyond lipid composition to resolve double bond positions and other fine structural features that determine biological function and molecular interactions. Together with interdisciplinary collaborators, we establish complementary data analysis strategies to enable comprehensive structural characterization. While our primary applications lie in (glyco)lipidomics, the analytical concepts and workflows developed in our laboratory are broadly applicable to the structural characterization of other classes of complex biomolecules.
Human (Glyco)Lipidomics
We apply our high-resolution mass spectrometry platform to investigate the structural diversity and biological functions of sphingolipids, glycosphingolipids, and related lipid classes in human health and disease. Particular emphasis is placed on low-abundance, structurally complex glycolipids, including isomeric and isobaric molecular species that require advanced chromatographic separation and information-rich tandem mass spectrometry. By combining high-resolution mass spectrometry with complementary fragmentation strategies, we move beyond lipid composition to resolve fine structural features such as double bond positions. This detailed structural information enables us to understand how lipid architecture influences membrane organization, cellular signaling, stem cell differentiation, cancer progression, drug resistance, and therapeutic response.
Plant (Glyco)Lipidomics
We use our structural mass spectrometry platform to investigate how membrane lipids contribute to environmental adaptation, heat tolerance, and resilience under climate-related stress. A particular focus is placed on glycolipids such as glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), the most abundant sphingolipids of the plant plasma membrane and among the most analytically challenging lipid classes. Their extensive structural diversity, complex glycan architecture, low ionization efficiency, and limited availability of authentic standards present significant analytical challenges while providing unique opportunities for analytical innovation. By resolving GIPC structures and linking their molecular diversity to membrane stability, stress signaling pathways, and adaptive physiological responses, we aim to advance the molecular understanding of plant resilience and contribute to research addressing the biological impacts of climate change.