timsTOF
BRUKER timsTOF – Trapped Ion Mobility Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry:
Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TIMS) is an IMS technique where ions are propelled through the TIMS tunnel by a gas flow. An electrical field controls each ion from moving beyond a position defined by the ion’s mobility, where the push it experiences from the gas flow matches the force of the electrical field. Ramping down the electrical field allows selectively releasing ions from the TIMS tunnel according to their mobility.
By incorporating a TIMS device at the front of a quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer, ions can be accumulated for a specific amount of time before being released for MS analysis. Using the PASEF® method, peptide ions are separated using TIMS, eluted (~ 100 ms) and detected in the QTOF, generating the TIMS MS heat map. In the PASEF® method, the same TIMS separation is used with the quadrupole isolating a certain ion species during its elution and immediately shifting to the next precursor. Parent and fragment spectra are aligned by mobility values.
TIMS
Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TIMS) is an IMS separation technique in gas phase, which resolves sample complexity with an added dimension of separation in addition to HPLC and mass spectrometry, increasing peak capacity and confidence in compound characterization. Equally as important, the TIMS device also serves to accumulate and concentrate ions of a given mass and mobility, enabling a unique increase in sensitivity and speed along with the additional dimension of separation.
A near 100% duty cycle for high sensitivity, high speed shotgun proteomics can now be achieved with the dual TIMS technology. The novel design allows for ions to be accumulated in the front section, while ions in the rear section are sequentially released depending on their ion mobility. This process is called Parallel Accumulation Serial Fragmentation, or PASEF®.
PASEF®
With speed in mind, Bruker experts redesigned MS/MS technology to meet the requirements of shotgun proteomics. With PASEF® technology >100 Hz sequencing speed can be achieved, and the MS/MS spectra quality of low abundant peptides can be increased by selecting them several times.
The Bruker timsTOF fleX is a dual-source instrument that combines full ESI functionality for Omics workflows with an integrated MALDI source for fast MALDI imaging on a single platform. MALDI-guided SpatialOMx pairs the regiospecificity of MALDI imaging with PASEF-empowered Omics, so high identification rates are achievable from very small sample amounts. Bruker's microGRID technology combines the MALDI stage with smartbeam 3D laser positioning to deliver high-resolution imaging down to 5 micrometre spatial resolution, integrated directly into Bruker's automated SCiLS imaging workflows.
Key features:
• Dual-source design: full ESI plus integrated MALDI on one instrument
• SpatialOMx workflow combines MALDI imaging regiospecificity with PASEF Omics
• microGRID technology for imaging down to 5 um spatial resolution
• Fully integrated into Bruker's automated SCiLS imaging software
• Robust ESI measurements alongside spatially resolved tissue analysis
Typical applications:
• Spatial multi-omics directly from tissue sections
• High-resolution MALDI imaging combined with LC-MS Omics
• Proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics from small sample amounts
Bruker timsTOF Pro 2 is powered by parallel accumulation serial fragmentation (PASEF) technology and is built for 4D-Multiomics work across 4D-Proteomics, 4D-Metabolomics and 4D-Lipidomics. Adding trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) to standard LC-MS unlocks PASEF acquisition, which delivers extremely high MS/MS speed without sacrificing resolution - PASEF reaches over 120 Hz sequencing speed on this platform. The added ion mobility dimension increases data completeness by resolving co-eluting species that a conventional LC-MS would miss, while the instrument design supports robust, routine operation over thousands of samples without cleaning.
Key features:
• PASEF acquisition at over 120 Hz sequencing speed without resolution loss
• Trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) adds a fourth separation dimension
• Increased data completeness from resolving co-eluting species
• Robust routine operation over thousands of samples without cleaning
Typical applications:
• 4D-Proteomics, 4D-Metabolomics and 4D-Lipidomics
• High-throughput routine LC-MS/MS analysis
• Complex biological sample analysis requiring high sensitivity and speed
Bruker's timsTOF SCP platform is built for 4D-Proteomics at the single-cell and low-sample-amount scale, reaching up to 300 Hz PASEF speed with near-100% ion capture efficiency for exceptional sensitivity and proteome depth. Smart ion transfer through the Athena Ion Processor and an optimised CaptiveSpray Ultra 2 source keeps the spray stable and ion transfer efficient even at very low sample loads. MOMA (Mobility Offset, Mass Aligned) separates co-eluting isobaric ions in the mobility dimension for higher specificity, while CCS-enabled scoring tools such as TIMScore and DIA-NN 4D-Proteomics support confident identification even at low signal-to-noise ratios.
Key features:
• Up to 300 Hz PASEF speed with near-100% ion capture efficiency
• Athena Ion Processor and CaptiveSpray Ultra 2 for stable low-flow ion transfer
• MOMA technology separates co-eluting isobaric ions in the mobility dimension
• CCS-enabled TIMScore and DIA-NN 4D-Proteomics support for low-abundance identification
• Upgradable platform designed to keep pace with future method development
Typical applications:
• Single-cell and ultra-low sample amount proteomics
• High-confidence identification of low-abundance peptides
• 4D-Proteomics research requiring maximum sensitivity
Bruker timsTOF HT is powered by the 4th-generation TIMS-XR analyzer and advanced digitizer technology (ADT) for high-throughput 4D-Proteomics, delivering higher dynamic range and quantitation accuracy in cell and tissue proteomics work. PASEF technology reaches 300 Hz sequencing speed without compromising resolution or sensitivity, while the high charge capacity of the TIMS-XR analyzer extends analytical depth. The system is fully CCS-enabled and supports all PASEF acquisition modes, including PASEF, dia-PASEF and prm-PASEF, giving flexibility across 4D-Proteomics workflows, and the robust instrument design supports routine operation over thousands of samples without cleaning.
Key features:
• 4th-generation TIMS-XR analyzer with high charge capacity
• 300 Hz PASEF sequencing speed without loss of resolution or sensitivity
• Full support for PASEF, dia-PASEF and prm-PASEF acquisition modes
• CCS-enabled for higher dynamic range and quantitation accuracy
• Robust design for routine operation over thousands of samples
Typical applications:
• High-throughput 4D-Proteomics in cell and tissue biology
• Quantitative proteomics requiring high dynamic range
• Routine, high-volume LC-MS/MS proteomics workflows
Unleash 4D-Proteomics™ with the timsTOF Ultra 2 – the ultimate fusion of trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) with quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) technology.
Ultra sensitivity: TIMS PASEF® mode parallelization captures ions with near 100% efficiency, delivering exceptional sensitivity and unparalleled proteome depth at 300 Hz speeds.
Maximum ion transfer: Optimized CaptiveSpray Ultra 2 (CSI Ultra 2) ionization creates a vortex for optimal ion transfer and stable spray without adjustment.
Enhanced specificity: MOMA (Mobility Offset, Mass Aligned) allows identification and separation of co-eluting isobaric mass-to-charge ions in the mobility domain, increasing clarity and confidence.
Increased confidence: Confidence with low S/N peptide identification derived from CCS-Enabled TIMScore™, TIMS DIA-NN 4D-Proteomics™ or using Spectronaut® 19.
Upgrade your research platform for continuous innovation
We recognize the inherent duality of research investments: opportunity and risk. Embracing innovation's dynamism, we prioritize upgradable research platforms. This commitment fosters sustainability and empowers researchers to navigate the ever-evolving landscape.
Our upgradable platform seamlessly integrates the latest advancements, keeping your projects at the forefront of discovery. It grants researchers the flexibility to choose the optimal moment to leverage these advancements, maximizing the impact of their work and aligning perfectly with their research goals.
PASEF - Acquisistion
Revolutionize your research with PASEF® – for ultra-speed, ultra-sensitive 4D-Multiomics applications and robustness on timsTOF instruments. Discover new depths and insights.
Enhanced sensitivity: Combining advanced ion mobility technology, fragmentation processes, and sensitive detection capabilities to identify low-abundance peptides, metabolites, and lipids in complex biological samples.
Increased proteoform coverage: Identify and quantify a higher number of peptides to reveal more protein variants.
Faster data acquisition: PASEF® speeds up proteomics analysis by spreading sample complexity across the mobility dimension, TIMS ensures rich, high-quality data even at breakneck speeds. It's not just faster analysis, it's also better data.
Increased specificity: PASEF® empowers precision proteomics. MOMA boosts data clarity, letting you confidently untangle complex samples while maintaining blazing speed and sensitivity. No trade-offs, just superior insights.
See Beyond What’s Visible. Discover PASEF® Sensitivity and Speed
PASEF® (Parallel Accumulation Serial Fragmentation) is an innovative mass spectrometry technology that revolutionizes proteomics analysis. PASEF® is uniquely incorporated into Bruker's timsTOF mass spectrometers, which combine orthogonal ion mobility and time-of-flight separation to achieve unprecedented levels of selectivity, speed, and sensitivity.
Get in touch
Premium quality laboratory equipment and services.
© 2026 All rights reserved.