Mass Spectrometry Imaging – Powerful Methods for Biomedical Research
Abstract: As our knowledge of systems biology rapidly advances, we learn more and more about alterations in gene expression patterns and genetic mutations driving alterations in protein function. In contrast to the recent advancements in functional genomics, the actual molecular mechanics of most diseases remain poorly understood.
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful suite of techniques for mapping elements and molecules directly in tissue. Analysis of elements and metals, as well as small and large molecules, can be achieved using sampling approaches operating in vacuo and at atmospheric pressure. Recent examples of multimodal approaches, which combine several modalities to survey complex problems, include the Rosetta Cancer Grand Challenge programme.
The project established a multiscale approach with a range of MSI techniques (MALDI, DESI, SIMS, ICP MS and REIMS) and an information directed approach to additional omics surveys (e.g. transcriptomics). The optimised pipeline was designed to enable a systems-level review of genes, proteins, metabolites and the role of the immune system in cancer development and growth.
In this presentation, highlights from the Rosetta programme will be reviewed alongside an overview of ongoing measurement challenges associated with large scale imaging endeavours e.g. determining uncertainties in the techniques, repeatability of measurements and the long term challenge of delivering traceable measurements for life science research.