Imaging mass spectrometry for nanoscale mapping of biological cells and tissues (NANOBIOMAPS)

Basic data for this project

Description

The objective of this project is to develop new techniques for sub-micrometer-resolved, chemical 3D- mapping of substances in single cells and organised tissues. The techniques will be based on time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-SNMS), providing simultaneous identification, localization and co-localization of a variety of substances (lipids, peptides, proteins, drugs and metabolites) without the need for pre-selected molecular labelling. The proposed technology constitutes a significant step beyond current methods for chemical analysis of cell and tissue samples, which can only provide either non-local information of the chemical composition or local information of a few pre-selected substances. To meet the minute quantities of sample substance present in the small volumes to be analysed, the detection sensitivities will be considerably improved relative to current conventional technology. By taking advantage of recent progress in(i) sample preparation techniques,(ii) instrumentation, and(iii) data interpretation methods, and by pushing this development further, the required sensitivities and lateral resolutions below 50 nm will be achieved. Methods for 2D mapping at different depth levels, providing 3D chemical analysis, will also be developed. The proposed techniques will lead to breakthrough discoveries and applications in several fields of research and technology, such as fundamental biology, clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical R&D, nanobiotechnology, and food and environmental impact on health. The project will place Europe in a world leading position in the area of imaging mass spectrometry in biosciences. The present project does not fit into any of the thematic priority areas alone but, instead, cuts across priority areas 1 (life sciences), 3 (NMP) and 5 (food safety).