Lecture
The power of elemental imaging at single cell resolution
- at -
- ICM Saal 5
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
G. Koellensperger, Vienna, A; M. Schaier, Vienna, A; L. Hendriks, Vienna, A; C. Molitor, Vienna, A; G. Braun, Vienna, A.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICPTOFMS) has emerged as a powerful platform for single-cell analysis. It enables highresolution, quantitative imaging of metal distributions and supports tissue/cell phenotyping through metal-labelled antibodies. This versatility makes the technique ideal for studying metal-based drugs, environmental metal exposure and trace metal biology. Recent technological advances have markedly improved both imaging throughput and analytical sensitivity, further expanding its applicability.
Building on these developments, we have established a comprehensive, end-to-end workflow for the mechanistic investigation of metal exposure at a single-cell level. MeXpose integrates low-dispersion laser ablation systems with standardised quantitative bioimaging
and immunohistochemistry using metal-labelled antibodies, thereby enabling spatially resolved single-cell metallomics. The platform enables the quantification of metal bioaccumulation at sub-femtogram levels per cell and extends the accessible mass range to m/z 14–256.
The broad utility of MeXpose is demonstrated across diverse biological applications, including metal (drug) exposure studies in ex vivo human skin and tumour models. LA-ICPTOFMS and the MeXpose pipeline together provide unparalleled insight into metal dynamics
at the single-cell level, offering a robust framework for advanced toxicological research, drug development and the study of metal-dependent biological processes.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICPTOFMS) has emerged as a powerful platform for single-cell analysis. It enables highresolution, quantitative imaging of metal distributions and supports tissue/cell phenotyping through metal-labelled antibodies. This versatility makes the technique ideal for studying metal-based drugs, environmental metal exposure and trace metal biology. Recent technological advances have markedly improved both imaging throughput and analytical sensitivity, further expanding its applicability.
Building on these developments, we have established a comprehensive, end-to-end workflow for the mechanistic investigation of metal exposure at a single-cell level. MeXpose integrates low-dispersion laser ablation systems with standardised quantitative bioimaging
and immunohistochemistry using metal-labelled antibodies, thereby enabling spatially resolved single-cell metallomics. The platform enables the quantification of metal bioaccumulation at sub-femtogram levels per cell and extends the accessible mass range to m/z 14–256.
The broad utility of MeXpose is demonstrated across diverse biological applications, including metal (drug) exposure studies in ex vivo human skin and tumour models. LA-ICPTOFMS and the MeXpose pipeline together provide unparalleled insight into metal dynamics
at the single-cell level, offering a robust framework for advanced toxicological research, drug development and the study of metal-dependent biological processes.
