Mass spectrometry is an extraordinarily powerful bioanalytical technique that has had a profound impact on our molecular understanding of human health and disease. Major advances in mass analyzer technology, dissociation techniques, and ionization methods are largely attributed to the central role that mass spectrometry plays in the field of systems biology. While mass spectrometry has evolved over the last century into a highly effective analytical tool, there are still opportunities for new advances to be made allowing an even more diverse array of biological questions to be addressed. This proposal is centered on the development of new ionization methods for biological mass spectrometry to allow for tissue imaging with top-down characterization. The short-term objective of this proposal is to develop and understand these new ionization methods using chemical and molecular systems. These results will provide a solid foundation from which biological applications will directly benefit. In this mindset, we will develop and apply these new ionization methods to tissue imaging. The long- term objective is to establish these new ionization methods as an enabling bioanalytical technology to effectively address questions in human health and disease. Public Description of Proposed Research Mass spectrometry (MS), the science related to the """"""""weighing of molecules"""""""", has had a profound impact on the study of human health and disease including cancer, heart disease, neural development, and auto-immune diseases. A prerequisite of MS is to convert neutral molecules into charged species (ions) such that they can be """"""""weighed"""""""" by the mass spectrometer. The focus of this research is to develop new ionization methods allowing a more diverse array of contemporary biomedical questions to be addressed. This will include the imaging of tissues to ultimately provide diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
This proposal seeks support to develop new ionization methods for biological mass spectrometry that will enable tissue imaging with identification via top-down methods. Furthermore, these ionization methods will be broadly applicable to the fields of proteomics and systems biology. In summary, we will establish a new enabling bioanalytical technology through detailed characterization using model molecular and chemical systems and demonstrate its application to tissue imaging.
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