Abstract
Despite the explosive growth of MALDI applications the investigation of the fundamental physico-chemical processes underlying the MALDI phenomenon is only in the focus of few research groups and despite intensive efforts this work has not truely contributed to the practical progress of the technique which is rather achieved by empirical means. In a recent series of experiments in the author´s group the problem was readdressed trying to overcome current limitations by posing new questions : Why are essentially singly charged ions observed ? What is the starting situation of the analyte in the matrix ? How can fundamental physical characteristics of the matrix, such as the initial ion velocity, be implemented into our understanding of the process ? What is the relevant ion formation mechanism, is there an active role of the matrix ? The essential goal was to develop a holistic picture by connecting the practical aspects of sample preparation to analyte incorporation, of matrix properties to the desorption process and to ionization. Our current picture will be presented.

Background
Michael Karas is Professor of Chemistry in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Dept. Of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences) at the University of Frankfurt (Germany).  He obtained obtained his Diploma (equivalent to a Bachelor degree) in 1978 and his Ph.D. in 1982 from the University of Bonn.  He then moved to the University of Münster where he obtained his „Habilitation“ in Physical Chemistry in 1992.  In 1995, Dr. Karas was offered the Chair of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Frankfurt, and in 2001 he moved to his current position at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Professor Karas has published approximately 130 papers in a variety of peer-reviewed journals.  He is a member of the German Society of Mass Spectrometry and of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry and is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Mass Spectrometry, Mass Spectrometry Reviews, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry and the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.  His awards include the Mattauch-Herzog Award of the German Society for Mass Spectrometry; the ASMS Award for a "Distinguished Contribution in Mass Spectrometry" (shared with Franz Hillenkamp); the 1997 "Molecular Bioanalytics 2000" Award by the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) (shared with Franz Hillenkamp) and the ABRF Award 2003 "for outstanding contributions to Biomolecular Technologies" (shared with Franz Hillenkamp).

Meeting details

Date:	Wednesday	April 15, 2003
Time:	6:00 pm	Social hour, registration (no-host cocktails)
	7:00 pm	Dinner
	8:00 pm	Lecture
Dinner:	Choice of:	Chicken Toscan Sautéed with mushrooms, olives and artichoke hearts
		Petrale Sole stuffed with dungeness crab & shrimp in butter
		Stuffed Portobello Mushroom
	includes	(various side dishes & dessert)
Cost:	$25.00	BAMS members.  Reservations required by noon on Tuesday April 8, 2003
	$35.00	Non-members.  Reservations required by noon on Tuesday April 8, 2003
	$15.00	Students only.  Reservations required by noon on Tuesday April 8, 2003

Note: 2003 dues need to be paid to obtain member price.  Dues ($20) may be paid while registering for dinner.

Maps & directions
Dominic’s at Oyster Point
360 Oyster Point Blvd.
South San Francisco, CA  94080
Yahoo map

As a service to our members, we post Employment postings.

As a trial service to our members, we are now posting Situations Wanted.  (Note: BAMS isn't a career center and will only post brief positions wanted for BAMS members only).

The San Francisco Bay Area Mass Spectrometry discussion group was formed in 1980 to provide a regular gathering for people interested in mass spectrometry and allied topics. BAMS currently has a membership of about 280 individual and 20 corporate members, and meets 8-10 times per year for a midweek dinner and lecture.  Meetings attract between 30 and 90 people, and are held at a restaurant or hotel in the bay area convenient for our speaker.  We usually convene at 6:00 pm for cocktails, dinner at 7:00 pm, and lecture at 8:15 pm.

If you have suggestions for a meeting topic, or know of a prominent mass spectroscopist who will be visiting the bay area, please contact our program chair.

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BAMS has been fortunate to have had many excellent speakers in our short history.
If you have suggestions for a meeting topic please contact our program chair.
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Last update: 4/2/2003