Modulation of biomarkers in sebum with age

我们已经开发了一种方法来寻找皮脂中帕金森病（PD）的生物标志物，我们希望将其扩展到更广泛地探索衰老。无创采集的皮脂样本，在环境条件下运输，可以直接引入质谱仪，诊断结果可以在~5分钟（快速靶向）或30分钟（发现）内产生。对于发现工作，我们已经证明我们可以使用热解吸耦合质谱（TD-MS）来识别挥发性气味，诊断性生物标志物，甚至来自未确诊的前驱患者。为了进行快速的靶向分析，我们开发了纸喷雾质谱（PS-MS）进行分析，其中在“棉签”上无创地从患者身上收集皮脂。在实验室里，这种富含脂质的蜡状皮脂被转移到一小张纸上本文的分析物可直接用于MS的诊断。使用机器学习算法，我们可以区分每种方法测量的化学特征，以bb0 - 85%的准确率将PD与对照分开。该项目将通过改进样本导入方法、数据分析和扩大范围来改进这些概念验证研究，以考虑该方法是否能够分层PD，用于前驱检测（在运动症状之前）和区分其他神经退行性疾病（包括多系统萎缩）。您将负责将患者元数据与质谱数据相结合，以调整我们的机器学习算法。与工业项目合作伙伴Calico合作。该学生将利用离子迁移率质谱法开发一种快速诊断皮脂生物标志物的测试方法。您将加入迈克尔巴伯合作质谱中心，那里有六个质谱研究小组，由技术人员提供良好的支持，并使用一套最先进的质谱仪以及所需的数据分析工具

We have developed method to find biomarkers for Parkinson's disease (PD) in sebum which we wish to extend to explore ageing more generally. A sebum sample collected non-invasively, transported in ambient conditions can be directly introduced to mass spectrometer and diagnostic results can be produced in ~5 minutes (rapid targeted) or 30 mins (discovery). For discovery work, we have shown that we can use thermal desorption coupled to mass spectrometry (TD-MS) to identify volatile odorous, diagnostic biomarkers, 1even from prodromal undiagnosed patients. For rapid targeted analysis we have developed paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for analysis wherein sebum collected non-invasively from the patient on a 'q-tip'. This lipid-rich waxy sebum is, in the lab, transferred to a small piece of paper.2 The analytes present on this paper can be directly introduced for MS diagnosis. Using machine learning algorithms, we can distinguish chemical signatures measured by each method to separate PD from control with >85% accuracy. This project will improve on these proof-of-concept studies by refining the sample introduction method, data analysis, and broadening the scope to consider if this method is able to stratify PD, to be used for prodromal detection (prior to motor symptoms) and to distinguish between other neurodegenerative diseases, (including multiple system atrophy). You will be responsible for combining patient meta data with mass spectrometry data, to tune our machine learning algorithms. Working with the industrial project partners Calico. the student will develop a rapid diagnostic test for biomarkers from sebum with ion mobility mass spectrometry.You will join the Michael Barber Centre for Collaborative Mass spectrometry where there are six mass spectrometry research groups, well supported by technical staff and working with a suite of state of the art mass spectrometers as well as the required data analysis tools