MSACL 2025 Abstract

Spatial Profiling of Elements through Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Sylwia A. Stopka (1), Clément Bodineau (1,2), Gerard Baquer (1), Jia-Ren Lin (3,4), Md Amin Hossain (1), Camilla J. Martinez (1), Michael S. Regan (1), Daniela Ruiz (1), Stecia-Marie Fletcher (9), Olivier Pourquié (2), Svetlana Lutsenko (5,6), Connor N. Payne (7), Jeffrey N. Agar (8), Ralph Mazitschek (7), Nathan J. McDannold (9), Peter K. Sorger (3,4,10), Sandro Santagata (2,3,4,10), Nathalie Y. R. Agar (1,9,11)
(1) Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (2) Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (3) Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Boston, MA, USA. (4) Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (5) Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. (6) Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. (7) Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. (8) Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. (9) Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (10) Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (11) Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Clement Bodineau, Ph.D. (Presenter) Brigham and Women's Hospital

Relevant Financial Disclosures (within past 24 months, reported on Apr 28, 2025) No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.

INTRODUCTION:
The spatial-omic analysis of biomolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids, metabolites, and proteins is advancing the study of biological systems and processes in a physio-pathological context. Extending these approaches to the spatial detection of elements offers new opportunities for research and clinical applications.

METHODS:
We describe an innovative matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) method for the spatial detection of a broad range of elements within biological tissues, using instrumentation widely available in research and clinical laboratories. By optimizing laser and collision parameters, our method enables sensitive detection of key elements including chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt).

RESULTS:
We characterize the spatial distribution of these elements in diverse settings, including mouse embryogenesis, genetic disorders associated with abnormal elemental accumulation, and preclinical testing for enhanced delivery of platinum-based chemotherapy across the blood-brain barrier using focused ultrasound. Our results demonstrate that elemental imaging can be performed while preserving spatial integrity and isotopic fidelity.

CONCLUSION:
Spatial element profiling by MALDI MSI will advance research studies and clinical analysis of element-related diseases, enabling more precise applications of element-based therapies and supporting progress in a range of scientific fields beyond biomedicine.