Structural Biology & Biochemistry (SBB) Theme Seminar - Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging to reveal the organisation of molecules in biological tissue samples

Title: Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging to reveal the organisation of molecules in biological tissue samples.

Speaker: Dr Brett Hamilton (CMM)

Abstract:  During this presentation I will discuss the evolution of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) tools which are used to determine the localisation of different biomolecules in a range of sample types. MSI has been used to study biomolecules such as lipids, metabolites and peptides/proteins in samples including nudibranchs, snakes, insects, and various mammalian species. During this presentation I will highlight how MSI has been used to help understand venom gland organisation and how we are working towards sub-cellular resolution, show examples of how different ionisation approaches such as desorption electrospray (DESI) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) can provide complementary information. Also access to techniques such as TOF-SIMS, laser ablation ICP-MS allows combination of elemental and molecular mapping. The MSI approaches complement a variety of other analytical techniques including genomics/transcriptomics and LC-MS, and when used together these approaches often provide strong information regarding identification, quantitation, and distribution.