A-LIFE section Chemistry for Environment & Health performs world-leading research to develop analytical chemistry and computational methodologies for the prioritization and identification of environmental and health issues of emerging concern.
High-quality targeted analysis (e.g. PFAS, chlorinated paraffins, phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, plasticizers, flame retardants, microplastics), suspect-screening and non-target screening approaches, supported by advanced modelling and data analysis pipelines, are applied for exposure assessment, human biomonitoring, effect-directed analysis, and metabolomics/lipidomics purposes, that are closely interlinked with the section Environmental Health and Toxicology.
Our laboratories are equipped with a range of cutting-edge analytical instruments that empower our research in environmental health, exposure assessment, and human biomonitoring. Our facilities include:
- Liquid Chromatography Systems: LC-MS/MS, UPLC-HR-qTOFMS, LCxLC-HR-qTOFMS, UPLC-HR-timsTOF.
- Gas Chromatography Systems: GC-Pyr-MS, GC-HR-qTOFMS, GCxGC-HR-qTOFMS.
- Mass Spectrometry Technologies: MALDI-TOF, DART-MS.
- Ionization Techniques: Electron Ionization (EI), Electrospray Ionization (ESI), Heated-ESI (HESI), Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI), Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (APPI), IonBooster, DirectProbe, Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART), AP-MALDI, and Pyrolysis.
Additionally, our lab features an in-house developed Fractiomate™ fraction collector for high-throughput sample testing, enhancing our ability to identify emerging contaminants and unknown metabolites efficiently.
These tools are complemented by our advanced data analysis pipelines, machine learning, and cheminformatics to push the boundaries of research and education.
Our research and expertise are incorporated into BSc, MSc, and PhD programs, contributing essential knowledge for addressing pressing environmental pollution and fostering informed environmental governance.