After the genomic revolution the focus of biological research is shifting from the description of singular interactions between macromolecular compounds, to the comprehensive detection, measurement and mapping of complex functional biomolecular systems. To achieve this task we are interested in developing and applying new technologies in the fields of mass spectrometry and proteomics. We choose mass spectrometry as the principal analytical tool as this technique is, up to now, the most sensitive and specific tool for protein microanalysis. Our group is mainly interested in the development and application of sensitive and specific methods for protein identification and microcharacterization. In particular, we are developing novel approaches that can be applied to proteome analysis of cells under physiological and pathological states.