MALDI-TOF technology and instrumentation has grown to encompass quite a wide range of system configurations, capabilities and costs. At the top of this pyramid are MALDI-TOF/TOF systems, which offer fragmentation capabilities that are unique compared to other types of MALDI-TOF.

The configuration of MALDI-TOF/TOF systems allows for ion fragmentation by collision induced dissociation (CID). Other MALDI-TOF techniques can only perform in-source or post-source decay, which does not produce nearly as much information. CID capability greatly enhances the already strong identification abilities of MALDI-TOF. Such configurations are often paired with state-of-the-art optics and the highest-resolution TOF flight tubes to be able to offer the highest-performing MALDI-TOF instruments.

In terms of applications, MALDI-TOF/TOF is oriented toward proteomics and is particularly useful for sequencing nucleic acids. While linear and reflectron MALDI-TOF systems can be used for more routine applications, such as screening, only TOF/TOF systems are capable of CID and other fragmentation techniques that are used in advanced research, such as for the identification of proteins and peptides. For the most part, MALDI-TOF/TOF is overkill for most other applications for which MALDI-TOF is applicable.

AB SCIEX has long been the leader in the MALDI-TOF/TOF market and currently holds more than 40% of the total worldwide vendor share. However, this is significantly lower than several years ago. The company has traditionally focused on the very high end of MS technologies in the markets in which it competes. Thus, the company offers tandem-TOF MALDI-TOF models in lieu of less expensive, but less capable linear or reflectron MALDI-TOF models.

Bruker continues to produce a steady stream of new MALDI-TOF models, including several TOF/TOF instruments, which has helped drive the growth of its MS business. Bruker has grown its vendor share to more than a quarter of the MALDI-TOF/TOF segment. Shimadzu has experienced success with its AXIMA line of MALDI-TOF instruments, which includes a TOF/TOF model. JEOL entered the MALDI-TOF/TOF market in 2009 with its novel SpiralTOF system, which is available in a TOF/TOF configuration. However, the company is a fairly minor competitor in the market.

The worldwide MALDI-TOF/TOF market, including associated service and aftermarket demand, was worth more than $100 million in 2011. However, such systems can easily cost $500,000 or more each, which translates into only around 150 unit shipments per year. Despite the impact of cuts to the budgets of many government and academic research institutions, the private sector and the critical need for such instruments in life science research will help drive high single-digit annual growth in the near term.

MALDI-TOF/TOF at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• AB SCIEX

• Bruker

• Shimadzu

Largest Markets

• CROs

• Biotechnology

• Academia

Instrument Cost

• $350,000–$800,000