Advancement of high resolution Mass Spectrometry Imaging for molecular characterization and topological investigation of biological tissue

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Bernhard Spengler
• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 208642485

Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) of biological tissue has evolved as an advantageous technique complementing established targeted methods such as fluorescence microscopy or histochemical staining. A strong advantage of MSI results from the non-targeted acquisition of data and the subsequent availability of the complete accessible molecular data set. A disadvantage, on the other hand, so far was the limited specificity and validity of generated molecular distribution images. The group of the applicant has recently demonstrated, however, that mass spectrometry imaging can be performed with high resolution and high accuracy in space and mass at the same time, allowing for an immediate laterally resolved, structurally unambiguous substance identification in tissue. The goal of the proposed project is to establish this technique with state-of-the-art mass spectrometric technology, to apply it to biomedical problems, and to instrumentally improve it and extend it significantly with respect to bioanalytical key parameters. Atmospheric pressure MALDI mass spectrometry imaging will be developed for a spatial resolution (pixel size) of one micrometer. Tissue identification will be improved by employing statistical analysis, tissue database technology and topological image analysis. The mass range will be extended by making higher charge states accessible, allowing high resolution mass spectrometry imaging and tissue-based identification of proteins. Alternative ionization techniques will also be developed for MSI.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: Orbital Trapping Massenspektrometer mit Zubehör
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer