An Open List For Users
The use of MALDI-TOF-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is spreading rapidly in many areas of application within food control, veterinary medical diagnostics, and clinical microbiology. An unknown microorganism can be identified by comparing its mass spectrum to that of a reference in a database. This database thus plays a central role in identification.
The systems (consisting of both hardware and software) employed by most users offer not only an extensive database supplied by the manufacturer, but also allow for the addition of one’s own data. These can be transferred within the device platform, making it possible to fill in diagnostic gaps more quickly. In our experience, this is especially valid for a series of special microorganisms from veterinary medical microbiology.
There are few databases available for other applications, such as the species identification of animal meat via MALDI-TOF MS, although a wide circle of users is interested in them.
In order to make information regarding high quality database entries available from users for users, we have set up an „open“ list, which can be downloaded from this web site. This list offers uniformly presented information regarding species names, isolate numbers and specimens, as well as details on the validity of the isolate designation (e.g. sequence data that corroborate the identification), and technical details of the entries (instrument, cultivation, preparation, etc.). The summary of data entries, and especially the contact information for the owner of the entries, shall be presented in this manner. No actual spectra will be available for free download on MALDI-UP. The copyrights to the data and the updating process of the equipment manufacturer will thereby not be affected.
A user guide to MALDI-UP is available here.
The list will be maintained on a subdomain and updated at fixed intervals within the framework of the website „UA-BW“. It is open to users under the aforementioned conditions for the purpose of mutual exchange of information. This concept was developed with assistance from employees at CVUA Stuttgart and the Hessen State Laboratory.