New dimensions for mass cytometry and imaging mass cytometry

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Biological systems are exceptionally complex. To understand the biochemical processes that influence diseases in whole organisms, information about all the cell types present and their activities is required. Mass cytometry is a new analysis method that enables the simultaneous quantification of a large number of parameters at the cellular level in heterogeneous cell populations. Using mass cytometry more information than ever before can be obtained from, for example, a single blood sample or biopsy sample. Previous methods were able to measure upwards of ten parameters at a time but mass cytometry has the potential to measure over 100. The key to realising the potential of mass cytometry is the availability of are the reagents it uses. Currently, we have developed chemistry to employ over 30 different mass cytometry reagents. We need to expand the repertoire of heavy isotopes that can be harnessed for MC reagents and this will in turn increase the amount and type of information that can be obtained from mass cytometry. In this proposal we aim to dramatically increase the elements that are available for mass cytometry experiments through the development of reagents that incorporate Te, Sn, Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh, In and Ag. This panel of elements should provide an additional 25-30 reagents when synthesised from isotopically enriched samples. Moreover, we aim to develop chemistry for a series of low molecular weight probes that can be used as general stains as well as to report on specific enzyme activities. These reagents will become commercial products sold by Fluidigm Canada to an ever growing international market. In addition the project will provide a fertile training ground for highly qualified personnel in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology.