MALDI-TOF MS is a soft ionization method used for the rapid identification of microorganisms by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ions generated from samples. It provides high accuracy and a quick turnaround time for various clinical applications in bacteriology, virology, and mycology, although it has limitations regarding the identification of specific strains and lack of susceptibility information. Sample preparation is minimal, making it cost-effective and suitable for a wide range of organisms, but it requires a comprehensive spectral database for accurate identification.