Scientists develop new method to map molecular structures on surfaces
Researchers at NPL and partner institutions published a technique to map molecular structure on surfaces in Nature Communications on Oct. 19.
Technique distinguishes similar molecules
The team used Orbitrap secondary ion mass spectrometry to create structure-sensitive imaging directly from surfaces. This approach required no additional sample preparation before analysis. The method separates molecules that share the same chemical formula but have different structures.
Validation with trisaccharides
Scientists tested the system by distinguishing three specific isomeric trisaccharides known as raffinose, maltotriose and melezitose. Small structural differences in these compounds govern their biological activity and material behavior. The new capability opens opportunities for imaging in glycomics and lipid studies.
Potential applications in health
The advance supports national infrastructure for trusted molecular-level data across different sites and workflows. It could accelerate discovery of biomarkers, drugs and therapies while providing consistent measurements. The research strengthens the Life Sciences and Health route to impact at NPL.
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