MALDI mass spectrometry Imaging
We develop method and techniques for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI for short) together with national and international cooperation partners from universities, clinics, and industry. Our projects encompass basic physical and physicochemical research as well as instrumental innovations and novel applications of improved methodologies in biomedical research.
Our method development projects include, among others:
The development of post-ionization methods (e.g., for laser-based MALDI-2) to increase ion yields and lower detection limits
The development of transmission-mode (t-MALDI) MSI to improve spatial resolution in the lower to sub-micrometer range
Direct coupling of MALDI-MSI with optical and spectroscopic imaging, on a single-cell scale
Development of segmentation strategies
Development of improved sample preparation protocols for specific research questions
Closely related to this are a number of fundamental studies, including:
Investigation of the MALDI-2 processes and the description of the propagation dynamics of laser-induced particle clouds
Characterization of MALDI matrix preparations on tissue sections and cell culture, e.g., depending on the underlying sample material
Improvement of quantification of the signal response in MALDI-MSI
Our more application-driven projects include, among others:
Differentiation of single cells in cell cultures and tissue sections (e.g., neutrophils in tumors and in bacterially infected tissues) on a molecular basis
improved imaging analysis of pharmaceuticals using MALDI-2