microGRID-MALDI2-timsTOF fleX mass spectrometry imaging system - We request funds to acquire a state-of-the-art microGRID-MALDI2-timsTOF fleX imaging mass spectrometer from Bruker Daltonics to establish the Center for Single-Cell and Spatial Metabolomics & Multi-Omics (S²M²) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). This new Center, led by a recently recruited expert in imaging mass spectrometry, will address a critical gap in lacking high-resolution spatial metabolomics infrastructure at UCSD, in San Diego, and across Southern California, and will be the first shared facility in the United States offering single-cell metabolomics. The requested instrument enables high-sensitivity, high-throughput mass spectrometry imaging at the single-cell spatial resolution, powered by MALDI-2 post-ionization, Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry (TIMS), and microGRID laser optics. These capabilities are essential for meeting the growing demand for spatial and single-cell omics, particularly in studies of metabolism, which is increasingly recognized as a key driver of cell identity, immune function, and disease progression. The instrument will catalyze NIH-funded research in cancer biology, aging, developmental biology, infectious diseases, drug metabolism, and tissue regeneration. The Center will leverage METASPACE, an open-source cloud platform for metabolite annotation and spatial data interpretation developed by the PI’s team and used by over 4000 scientists worldwide. By combining cutting-edge instrumentation with intuitive, accessible software, S²M² will provide a seamless workflow for biologists and clinicians, dramatically reducing the technical barrier to high-resolution spatial metabolomics. The PI brings extensive experience in directing centers, having previously founded and led two shared facilities for metabolomics and imaging mass spectrometry in Europe. With strong institutional support, a strong enthusiasm among UCSD scientists, high-end equipment, and unique software, the S²M² Center is positioned to become a regional and national leader in single-cell metabolomics. The instrument will be housed in a dedicated, fully equipped laboratory in the Biomedical Sciences Building and operated under a financially sustainable, service-oriented model. This investment will have immediate and lasting impact by enabling next-generation spatial metabolomics at UC San Diego and establishing a unique national resource for spatial and single-cell analysis in biomedical research.
