Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry in Microbiology

Advanced spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods for microbial diagnostics and resistance

Culture-independent analytical techniques are transforming pathogen identification and resistance detection. Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry in Microbiology: Identification, Subtyping and Antimicrobial Resistance Detection covers MALDI-TOF MS, Liquid Atmospheric Pressure MALDI-MS, tandem MS, FT-IR, HDX-MS, and Raman Spectroscopy for microbial characterization. Assembled by a team of specialists in microbiology and analytical chemistry, this reference consolidates these methods as viable alternatives to genomics-based workflows.

The first section examines pathogen analysis via MALDI-TOF MS and tandem MS, with case studies from Africa, Latin America, Turkey, and India demonstrating deployment in resource-limited settings. Subsequent chapters address FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy for resistance profiling and single-cell analysis. AI-driven bacterial classification and antibiotic resistance identification receive dedicated treatment throughout the volume.

Readers will also find:

• Methods positioning spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as alternatives to genomics for detailed microbial subtyping and resistance surveillance
• New approaches to studying resistance mechanisms and designing drugs using affordable, rapid tools suitable for resource-limited laboratory settings
• AI and machine learning integration with Raman Spectroscopy for profiling antibiotic resistance patterns in clinical microbial isolates
• Single-cell analysis techniques enabling individual microbial cell characterization without requiring bulk culture or extensive sample preparation steps
• Frameworks for implementing culture-independent diagnostics in regions where rapid pathogen identification is most urgently needed for public health

Designed for academic researchers in microbiology, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry, this reference also serves clinical and environmental scientists, MS technologists, and diagnostic laboratory professionals seeking to implement or advance spectroscopic and mass spectrometric approaches for pathogen identification and resistance surveillance.

Haroun N. Shah is a Professor at Middlesex University and the University of West London with over 40 years of experience in microbial biochemistry and mass spectrometry. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and three books, advancing MALDI-TOF MS in clinical diagnostics.

Hermine V. Mkrtchyan is a Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Microbiomes, Environment and Health group at the University of West London. With over 20 years of experience in microbial genomics and proteomics, she has developed rapid diagnostic platforms for pathogen and antibiotic resistance detection.

Emmanuel Raptakis is Deputy Head of Licensing and Ventures at Oxford University Innovation, contributing to mass spectrometry technology development. He has co-founded several companies in analytical chemistry and clinical diagnostics, including Fasmatech, Ascend Diagnostics, and DeepMed IO.

Omar Belgacem, PhD, is Managing Director of Ascend Diagnostics Limited with over 30 years of experience developing MALDI-TOF instruments and applications. He co-founded CLOVER Bioanalytical Software, focused on diagnostics platforms for microbial identification and cancer diagnosis.

Saheer E. Gharbia, PhD, is Chief Scientific Officer for Genomic Surveillance at the Wellcome Sanger Genome Institute. She has led significant research in genomics and proteomics for public health microbiology, securing major funding and publishing extensively on pathogen diversity and antibiotic resistance.