Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Abstract We request funds for a new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) interfaced to a ultra- performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system and a laser ablation (LA) system to be located at the Institute for Innovation in Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). ICP-MS is a powerful analytical tool for the detection and quantification of trace elements in a broad range of sample types and is widely accepted as the method of choice for elemental analysis. Modern instrumentation can analyze up to 60 elements simultaneously with a dynamic range spanning 9 orders of magnitude from parts per trillion to parts per thousand. A UPLC interface enables speciation of metal or metalloid analytes in complex matrices like blood plasma or tissue homogenate with fast analysis times. Additionally, a laser ablation interface allows multi-elemental analysis directly off a surface, such as a microscope slide, enabling low micron spatial resolution. There is an existing HPLC-ICP-MS funded by a prior Shared Instrument Grant that is extensively used by numerous investigators at MGH and outside. However, that instrument is 8 years old, increasingly in need of repair and does not provide the UPLC or LA capabilities that users desire. The dual mission of the Institute for Innovation in Imaging is technology development and translational research involving advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography, optical imaging, and ultrasound. Accurate elemental analysis underpins much of this work. For instance, in molecular imaging probe development, quantitative elemental analysis is used to characterize the probes, quantify their distribution, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism in tissue. For imaging of metal ion homeostasis, ICP-MS provides a crucial gold standard. Development of metal-based therapeutics benefits tremendously from UPLC-ICP-MS for metabolism studies and from LA-ICP-MS for mechanism of action studies. Contrast agents are widely used in the development of quantitative in vivo imaging techniques, e.g. perfusion, permeability, blood volume measurements; ex vivo elemental analysis of these contrast agents can serve to calibrate and validate these methodologies. The requested instrumentation will be administered as a shared resource for the Institute for Innovation in Imaging, the larger MGH research community, as well as other institutions in the greater Boston area. The Principle Investigator and Advisory Committee will ensure both equitable and cost-effective operation of this system. The acquisition of this UPLC-ICP-MS with laser ablation will greatly benefit our research community and we expect it will play an essential role in driving many new discoveries pertaining to a host of medically related issues including cancers, lung diseases, skeletal disorders, immunology, neurological diseases, heart diseases, liver diseases, stroke, and neural plasticity.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).