Imaging mass cytometer

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563743039

Novel technological developments in the field of single cell analyses enable the simultaneous characterization of millions of individual cells in heterogeneous tissues. Imaging mass cytometry, or cytometry by time-of-flight, is a spatial single cell proteomic technology with the potential to detect up to 50 marker per cell. Within this proposal, we are applying for an imaging mass cytometer that enables highly multiplexed measurements of complex tissues stained with metal isotope-conjugated antibodies to spatially resolve the cellular composition and functional interactions on single cell level. These in-depth insights of cellular processes are important during embryonic development, aging, or tissue regeneration and can be applied to develop diagnostic and therapeutic tools for patients e.g., with neurologic disorders, autoimmune diseases, infections or cancer. The use of isotopically purified, rare heavy metals, such as non-radioactive lanthanides, coupled to antigen-specific antibodies enables precise and sensitive measurements by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The high staining and data quality with low background is obtained with this technology due to reduced interferences between detection channels and the lack of tissue autofluorescence. The automated imaging mass cytometer will be implemented in the Mass Cytometry Core Facility at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, to ensure a quality-controlled instrument performance and a cost-efficient open access with scientific and technical support for local and external researchers. Technological networks and joint workflows together with other spatial technologies, such as transcriptomics or metabolomics, will enable high impact discoveries in basic, biomedical, and translational research. Research projects with a high demand of applying imaging mass cytometry to investigate physiological and pathophysiological processes spatially resolved on single cell level focus on neurogenesis, autoimmunity, inflammation, and cancer. The obtained data will improve our understanding of disease progression with the aim to develop novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Bildgebendes Massenzytometer
• Instrumentation Group: 3500 Zellzähl- und Klassiergeräte (außer Blutanalyse), Koloniezähler
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Leader: Dr. Claudia Peitzsch