Discoveries Archives - Bright Giant

Discoveries

Uncovering Hidden Contaminants in Human Milk: Non-Targeted Biomonitoring with SIRIUS

Human milk is the ideal source of nutrition for infants, but growing concerns exist about the presence of chemical contaminants that can find their way into it. For years, scientists have relied on targeted analysis, a method that can only find what they are already looking for. In this non-targeted approach utilizing SIRIUS, researcher successfully identify common and previously unreported chemical contaminants and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the chemical exposures mothers and infants face.

Franziska Hufsky 2025-10-22 No Comments

Collaborations

How to Constrain the Molecular Structure Search Space with Chemical Labeling

Unlocking the chemical ‘dark matter’ in metabolomics is a persistent challenge. A new approach addresses this by integrating derivatisation reactions for chemical labeling directly into the mass spectrometry workflow. It provides crucial structural information which is fed into small molecule annotation tools like SIRIUS to significantly constrain the molecular structure search space and boost annotation accuracy, even for previously undiscovered compounds. This powerful approach offers a scalable solution to unlock the vast, uncharted chemical space of the metabolome.

Franziska Hufsky 2025-09-15 No Comments

Collaborations

Unlocking a Greater Perspective: Mapping the Chemical Space of Biomes Using SIRIUS

Untargeted mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for analyzing the immense chemical complexity of natural environments. However, interpreting such large datasets remains a significant challenge. To overcome this, researchers have developed an innovative approach using SIRIUS that prioritizes chemical profiling over exhaustive identification. This method allows for more effective comparisons of (micro-)biomes, providing deeper insights into biochemical diversity across different environments.

Franziska Hufsky 2025-02-13 No Comments

Discoveries

a-MAIZE-ing: Sustainable Pest Control Investigated with SIRIUS

Agriculture has always been a dance with nature, requiring farmers to constantly adapt to changing conditions. One particularly promising method that has emerged over recent decades is push-pull technology, a strategy that uses nature’s own defenses to protect crops and boost yields. Using SIRIUS, researchers uncovered metabolites in push-pull maize that enhance its natural defense against pests.

Franziska Hufsky 2024-10-28 No Comments

Assorted liquor bottles in a bar. Plastic-related contaminants in liquor products were even found in glass packaging.

Discoveries

Screening extractables and leachables with SIRIUS: Plastic-related contaminants in liquor products

In a world where we’re becoming increasingly conscious of what we consume, understanding the potential presence of unexpected extractables and leachables in our food and drinks is paramount. Alcoholic beverages are of particular concern due to their increased affinity and extended storage periods. A non-targeted approach to analysis is essential for uncovering both known and unknown contaminants in our drinks. By analysing fragmentation patterns, SIRIUS predicts chemical structures of unknowns to identify unexpected contaminants and ensure safety of our food.

Franziska Hufsky 2024-09-30 No Comments

Discoveries

Thawing permafrost: Another step towards assessing the consequences

Thawing permafrost, caused by climate change, releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming. The enzyme latch hypothesis suggests that low-oxygen conditions in wetlands slow down enzymatic polyphenol degradation and carbon release. But are oxygen-dependent phenol oxidases really the only enzymes that microbial communities have in their arsenal? Or should we perhaps take a closer (metatranscriptomic and metabolomic) look at the microbially catalysed carbon cycle?

Franziska Hufsky 2024-06-06 No Comments

Ketamine’s potential for treating neurological diseases such as depression, PTSD, and chronic pain has sparked significant interest within the medical and scientific communities. (Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash.)

Discoveries

Ketamine distribution in the brain: understanding drug metabolism with SIRIUS

Ketamine is known for its dual role as an anesthetic and an emerging antidepressant. Despite its long-standing clinical use, the metabolic pathways and pharmacokinetics of ketamine remain poorly understood. A study of ketamine metabolism in the pig brain using SIRIUS provides valuable insights into the distribution of ketamine and its metabolites in different areas of the brain.

Franziska Hufsky 2024-04-18 No Comments

Discoveries

Quality control using SIRIUS: nutrient profiles of Spirulina and co

Microalgae, such as Spirulina, are promising sources of sustainable nutrition with rich nutrient profiles. Ensuring consistent quality of microalgae as dietary supplements requires a quality control method reporting about their chemical composition. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics coupled with SIRIUS helps identifying primary and secondary metabolites with potential health benefits, including free fatty acids, polar lipids, and pigments.

Franziska Hufsky 2024-03-25 No Comments

Microbial breakdown, facilitated by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, plays a pivotal role in decomposing organic matter. (Image by Thomas Breher on Pixabay)

Discoveries

SIRIUS on the body farm: Investigating microbial decomposers

Microbial decomposers break down human remains, recycling nutrients and influencing ecosystem dynamics. Is there a universal microbial decomposer network that assembles in response to mammalian remains? How does the network and the cadaver-derived nutrient pool change during the decomposition process and can this microbial community change be used for predicting time since death for forensic purposes?

Franziska Hufsky 2024-02-23 No Comments