The fast route to microbe identification: matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Rapid identification of bacterial and fungal microorganisms is critical for early and targeted antimicrobial therapy. Conventional methods for bacterial identification are time consuming. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has revolutionized the daily process of identification in modern microbiological laboratories. The technique and its multiple current and future applications will be discussed.