MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry and Multi-Array Core Facility: MALDI-MULTI

• Applicant: Kathrin Maedler, Ph.D., since 11/2014
• Subject Area: Biochemistry ; Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism
• Term: from 2013 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 233508638

We will establish a core facility at the University of Bremen providing access to two novel and advanced bioanalytical techniques: 2D/3D MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-imaging) and MULTI-ARRAY protein detection. MALDI-imaging is a high-throughput molecular analytical technique for 2D/3D spatially-resolved biochemical analysis and is presently one of the most promising measurement technologies in biochemistry. In the last decade, MALDI-imaging has been developed tremendously and became a powerful and versatile tool for spatially-resolved biochemical analysis of a variety of samples, ranging from biological and plant tissues to bio- and polymer films. Numerous research studies reported success in using MALDI-imaging for solving biomedical challenges, in particular, for discovery of biomarkers and localization of drugs and their metabolites. Despite this potential of MALDI-imaging it is not yet well-established in medicine and molecular biology. The bottleneck of exploiting MALDI-imaging in a biomedical study is the access to the acquisition technique requiring a cutting-edge mass spectrometer, high-qualified trained personnel, and experience in sample preparation and data acquisition. Our core facility includes an existing and established MALDI imaging laboratory, has international expertise in MALDI-imaging and provides the newest MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer operated by a high-profile scientist to internal and external users. With our interdisciplinary team we are experienced in sample preparation (Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen), data collection and acquisition (Center for Industrial Mathematics), and the local collaboration with one leading manufactor for MALDI-Imaging (Bruker) it is possible to establish such a modern core facility.The second bioanalytical technique provided by our core facility is the MULTI-ARRAY electrochemiluminescence protein detection, which is a powerful tool for the analysis of specific proteins on a multi-array format. MULTI-ARRAY can be used separately from MALDI-imaging or can be combined providing detection of biomarkers found with MALDI-imaging. Our proposal is interdisciplinary, uniting expertise of imaging mass spectrometry, molecular biology, and biochemistry.The main objectives of our core facility are:MALDI imaging-based analysis of cells and tissuesIdentification and localization of drugs and their metabolites in tissuesIdentification of biomarkers and disease mechanisms in diabetes and metabolic syndrome

• DFG Programme: Core Facilities
• Participating Institution: Constructor University; Information Resource Center (IRC) / Library; Leibniz-Institut für Präventionsforschung und Epidemiologie - BIPS GmbH; Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Ahrens; Professorin Dr. Klaudia Brix; Professor Dr. Sörge Kelm; Professor Dr. Marcel Kuypers; Professor Dr. Peter Maaß; Dr. Janina Oetjen; Professorin Dr. Barbara Reinhold-Hurek; Professor Dr. Peter Spiteller
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Theodore Alexandrov, until 11/2014