Provision of a MALDI-MSI Platform for Biomedical Analytical Imaging

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Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique that is widely used to identify compounds from a vast array of materials and to study biological molecules and relate them to function. Frequently we compare samples to understand the differences between normal and diseased or treated conditions, for example healthy tissue compared with tissue infected with a naturally occurring pathogen, for example bacteria or a virus. Understanding the molecular responses to infection are key to implementing treatments.To carry out MS experiments, samples such as bacteria or cells are normally broken down as a whole and compounds extracted for analysis. Whilst extremely sensitive at identifying the molecules present, this method loses the spatial location of the compounds; they may be distributed differently in different areas.Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a technique that allows characterisation of biological molecules across surfaces. A laser is fired at a very small area on the surface of a sample to generate charged molecules (called ions) from that position, and these are analysed by the mass spectrometer. The sample is moved very slightly, and the laser fired again. In this way we can detected analytes across the surface and build up an image-map. This will allow us to relate the position of biological molecules to function and will be a great improvement on the equipment already available to us.We propose to use this equipment undertake projects aligned with MRC research portfolio and priorities in themes such as antimicrobial resistance, immunity and infection through the life course, and neurodegeneration supporting existing MRC projects and planned MRC submissions. The project will also support the development of research technical professionals.