MSACL 2017 EU Abstract

Laser-based Mass Spectrometry in Clinics: Changing the Paradigm of Molecular Diagnosis

Isabelle Fournier (Presenter)
Laboratoire PRISM U1192, INSERM

Bio: Pr. I. Fournier is Deputy Director of PRISM, where she is heading the research axis Technological Innovation. IF is a specialist in MS applications in biology and clinics. IF was first in Europe to develop MALDI MS into a molecular imaging technology in 2001, and in 2007 to demonstrate that MALDI IMS could be performed from archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. This work was valorized by several patents and lead IF to be co-founder of the start-up company Imabiotech SAS. Since several years, she is working on the development of large scale strategies for spatially re-solved proteomics over limited tissue surface regions, as well as on the development of new in-strumentation for in-vivo real-time MS for guided surgery and diagnostics. She has supervised 17 PhD students, authored 85 publications, 12 book chapters, 10 patents, and gave 103 conferences (H-factor 33)

Authorship: Isabelle Fournier
Laboratoire PRISM, U1192 Inserm, University Lille, 59000 Lille

Short Abstract

By bridging surface analysis with access to biomolecules of various molecular weight and polarity including higher molecular weight polar compounds such as proteins, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) reseals a unique ability for clinical applications. This was clearly demonstrated by the introduction and development of MALDI MS Imaging (MALDI MSI) which after 15 years has now acquired its letters of nobility. Indeed deploying dedicated strategy MALDI MSI can be used to image the distribution of both endogenous and endogenous molecules within biological tissues to access a vast variety of applications in the field of basic sciences as well as clinics. In clinics, MALDI MSI starts to be employed as a molecular histology tool allowing to perform retrospective and prospective studies on patient’s cohorts for biomarkers hunting, as a new diagnosis and prognosis tool as well as for patient’s classification or stratification in the objective to get personalized medicine. However, such laser based technology can also be translated to the in-vivo context for developing MS as a tool for guided surgery in the surgery room.

Long Abstract

By bridging surface analysis with access to biomolecules of various molecular weight and polarity including higher molecular weight polar compounds such as proteins, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) reseals a unique ability for clinical applications. This was clearly demonstrated by the introduction and development of MALDI MS Imaging (MALDI MSI) which after 15 years has now acquired its letters of nobility. Indeed deploying dedicated strategy MALDI MSI can be used to image the distribution of both endogenous and endogenous molecules within biological tissues to access a vast variety of applications ranging from basic sciences to clinics. In clinics, MALDI MSI has proven to be especially well-suite for molecular histology. Indeed, MALDI MSI can be used to analyze endogenous biomolecules such as lipids, peptides and proteins from fresh frozen samples in prospective studies but as well as from large retrospective cohorts by analyzing Formalin Fixed and Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) biopsy tissues. By combining MALDI MSI of proteins to their identification and relative quantification by large Scale Proteomics strategies including Shot-Gun and Top-Down it is possible to get knowledge on new relevant biomarkers, better understand physiopathological mechanisms as well as using this non targeted molecular information in combination with patients data for patient’s classification allowing to envision a more personalized medicine for the patients. Recent developments demonstrate that laser based MS technologies have also the potential to be developed as an in-vivo solution for guided surgery. Using excitation of endogenous water content of tissues it is possible to create ions several meters remotely from the MS instrument and obtain a real-time in-vivo analysis. This system of low invasiveness is designed to guide the surgeon by allowing in-vivo real-time diagnosis and excision margin definition to be performed under intraoperative conditions and pave a new way for MS into the clinics.


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