WP1 - The first operational aerosol supercharger, which now integrates an inertial cutoff filter, has been developed (after three iterations), and fully characterized. The majority of the deliverables has been completed, although it was found that the Limit of Detection of the system is still insufficient to detect viral particles in breath in real time, nevertheless, nm-size particles mimicking intact virus particles produced by ESI have been detected using the ARIANE platform. The breakthrough result on super-charging of aerosol particles is yet to be accomplished. A summary of the efforts undertaken until this third Reporting Period is provided in the Technical Report
WP2 The ARIADNE platform is currently producing mass spectra of ions in the higher m/z range using the conventional detectors. The new electronics to drive the eTOF mode have been produced and tested, while experiments are underway. Preliminary results based on the prototype diffusion charger - FAIMS have been produced and proton transfer reactions are currently being evaluated under different experimental conditions
WP3 - A working prototype is currently being operated in pass-through mode successfully, an updated version of the acquisition system & allied data processing tools has also been developed. A High-Performance Data Acquisition System for CDMS and the next-gen firmware and software for CDMS data acquisition, processing, and analysis have been produced and benchmarked successfully using the CDMS platform in Lyon. Firmware developments and software updates resulted in novel workflows enabling viral particles data simulations.
WP4 - The Omnitrap platform is operational on the QE UHMR mass spectrometer, while first data on analyzing virus particles using this system are produced. Now that the Omnitrap is fully functional, partner’s UzL main focus is operating the QE UHMR in the ultra-high mass-range, which is a necessary prerequisite for performing the top-down experiments combining the Omnitrap technology. In addition, partner FAST will concentrate on the top-down experiments. Finally, partner CNRS-Lyon has redesigned the FT-CDMS to enhance trapping efficiency and execute top-down experiments with the CO2 laser.
WP5 - Partner KI has completed successfully the work package concerning the advancement of single bacterial cell proteomics, a novel proteomics workflow that resulted in a peer review publication. Furthermore, UzL has successfully completed the development of proteomics workflows for viruses. This know-how will now be extended to advance proteomics workflows for analyzing viruses, a very challenging task due to the extremely low number of proteins present in the sample.
WP6 - The Project Management tasks are being implemented successfully, without deviation
WP7 - The Innovation Radar has been updated, steps are being made for the exploitation plan regarding the new technologies developed during the project.
