Leipzig Clinical Mass Spectrometry

The clinical mass spectrometry group develops novel analytical mass spectrometry-based concepts for metabolome and proteome analysis of human body fluids and tissues. These concepts are used to investigate metabolic / protein alterations and lipid modifications in dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Targeted high-throughput approaches based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and linear ion trap (LIT) technology have been developed for application in large-scale cohort studies (e.g. LIFE-Heart and LIFE-Adult) and the systems-biological modulation of metabolic pathways. The mass spectrometry assays fulfil quality criteria in accordance with DIN EN ISO 15189:2014 and DIN EN ISO 17025:2005. The group has the expertise to translate in-house developed methods into routine clinical applications and to implement them. The systems currently available comprise an API 4000, QTRAP 5500, QTRAP 6500, and QTRAP 6500+ (Sciex).

The main research topics of the group are:

1. Steroid hormones: analytical concepts and translation into clinical routine application (Dr. Alexander Gaudl)

2. Obesity and lipid metabolism of the brain (Madlen Reinicke, M.Sc.)

3. Analytical concepts for targeted proteomics and translation into clinical routine application (Dr. Julia Dittrich)

4. Targeted and non-targeted omics approaches for tissue and cell culture application (Dr. Ilijana Begcevic Brkovic)

Mass spectrometry assays are available for the following metabolites / proteins:

• apolipoproteins
• eicosanoids
• polyunsaturated fatty acids
• oxysterols
• steroids
• sterols
• amino acids, acyl-carnitines
• endocannabinoids

Currently the group is conducting collaborative projects within Leipzig University and with both national and international external institutions; it is funded by the German Research Foundation (CRC1052), the federal state of Saxony and the European Union.

1. ​El Boudlali, Lehmicke L, Ceglarek U. High-resolution accurate mass- mass spectrometry based- untargeted metabolomics: Reproducibility and detection power across data-dependent acquisition, data-independent acquisition, and AcquireX​. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2025 May 30:27:2412-2423.​

2. Reinicke M, Leyh J, Zimmermann S, Chey A, Begcevic Brkovic I, Wassermann C, Landmann J, Lütjohann D, Isermann B, Bechmann I, Ceglarek U. Plant Sterol-Poor Diet Is Associated with Pro-Inflammatory Lipid Mediators in the Murine Brain​. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Dec 8;22(24):13207.​

3. Ringel C, Dittrich C, Gaudl A, Schellong P, Beuchel CF, Baber R, Beutner F, Teren A, Engel C, Wirkner K, Thiele H, Büttner P, Löffler M, Scholz M, Thiery J, Ceglarek U. Association of plasma trimethylamine N-oxide levels with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and factors of the metabolic syndrome. Atherosclerosis 2021 Oct:335:62-67.​

4. Reinicke M, Zheng L, Rang M, Fuchs C, Weikert J, Keß A, Kleber C, Ceglarek U, Osterhoff G, Aust G. Severity-Dependent Long-Term Post-Traumatic Changes in the Circulating Oxylipin Profile​. Int J Mol Sci 2024 Dec 17;25(24):13530.

5. Gaudl, A, Lehmicke L, Biemann R, Dittrich J, Ceglarek U. Enhancing primary newborn screening efficiency for congenital adrenal hyperplasia with LC-MS/MS/MS. Clinica Chimica Acta 2025; In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 12 July 2025.

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About the Project

The Collaborative Research Centre 1052 "Obesity Mechanisms" was established in 2013 with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The doctoral researcher position is limited to 3 years. The salary is paid according to the German TV-L system (the salary agreement for public service employees).

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Uta Ceglarek

More Details

The Collaborative Research Center 1052 "Obesity Mechanisms" was established in 2013 with funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The CRC1052 combines interdisciplinary basic and clinical research across biochemistry, biophysics and chemistry, endocrinology, neuroscience, paediatrics, and cardiology. It aims to provide structured doctoral training centrally aligned in three main research areas – A, Overeating, B, Fat deposition and inflammation, and C, Adipokines. In CRC project A9 , the impact of obesity-related high-fat diet on cerebral sterol metabolism and neuroinflammation will be investigated. Mass spectrometric based metabolomics and proteomics methods will be applied for functional experiments and patient cohorts.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Analyze biological samples from cell, animal and clinical studies by LC-MS/MS methodologies and advanced statistical software tools.
• Develop a blood-brain barrier model to study obesity-related influencing factors on plant sterol transport into the brain across capillary endothelial cells and microglia
• Perform immunoblotting, immune staining and gene expression profiling

Your profile

• You are a highly qualified and motivated student holding a (or being close to obtaining) M.Sc. or equi­valent degree in Biochemistry, Cell / Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Neuro­science or related fields
• Ideally, you have first practical scientific expertise, in preparation techniques for biological sample material (e.g. plasma, tissue etc.)
• You are interested in statistical analysis and handling big data

 Application advertisment as PDF

How to apply

For application and further information, please contact the lead supervisor, Prof. Ceglarek (uta.ceglarek@medizin.uni-leipzig.de)
The applications will be accepted until 15th of September via e-mail, including a full academic CV,
publication list (if any), copies of your degree certificates and contact details of two referees (if any). ​​

The coupling of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry enables rapid and​ highly sensitive analysis of biologically active metabolites, peptides and proteins in bodily fluids.

Standardized preanalytical protocols covering sample drawing, handling and sample preparation were developed for ensuring reliable quantitation of partly very low abundant metabolites and proteins in bodily fluids. Methods developed in the clinical mass spectrometry section were validated for the analysis in bodily fluids, tissues and cells.

If you are interested in one of our established approaches, you can contact us via lecms@medizin.uni-leipzig.de​.​

Untargeted Proteomics and Metabolomics