Integration of spatially resolved multiomics

The proposed project is to develop a multimodal and spatial approach to study biomolecules in a tissue section.

We aim to expand our spatial capabilities to include exploration of small molecules taking part in signaling, biosynthesis and/or metabolism within a tissue.

Our effort will focus on an unbiased tissue-wide methodology to capture small molecules in their spatial context using barcoded slides that facilitate concurrent analysis of additional modalities (i) morphology (ii) spatial gene expression, and (iii) copy number  variation analysis within the same tissue section.

The proposed research program  will be using advanced  mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) instruments such as matrix-assisted laser sesorrption ionization (MALDI).

The mass  spectrometers´ speed, sensitivity and molecular specificity enable the direct and simultaneous imaging of hundreds to thousands of molecules. Our preliminary data suggest that true multimodality is achievable within a single tissue section.