A World First In Elemental Bio-Imaging
Vienna, Austria – Teledyne CETAC Technologies, Omaha, NE, USA, developer and marketer of specialist sample introduction systems for atomic spectroscopy, and TOFWERK AG, Thun, Switzerland, developer of time-of-flight mass spectrometers, are pleased to announce the installation of an Analyte Excite excimer laser ablation system with HelEx II sample chamber and ARIS rapid aerosol introduction system coupled to an icpTOF 2R mass spectrometer at the University of Vienna. This is the first combination of its kind in the world and will be used almost exclusively for imaging element concentration distributions in biological samples. The combination of the sample chamber and aerosol transport system enables transmission of aerosol generated from laser pulses to the mass spectrometer in less than 30 milliseconds. When combined with the icpTOF 2R, full mass spectra can be acquired for each laser pulse, enabling multi-element imaging at unprecedented speed and spatial resolution.
Prof. Dr. Gunda Köllensperger, Head of Department of Analytical Chemistry, said “We are excited to get started with measurements. Adding this capability to the lab will enable novel interdisciplinary research at the interface of cancer research, drug development and analytical chemistry. Tumor progression and therapy resistance is critically regulated by the tumor microenvironment which is characterized by distinct cell types. Hence, our major aim is to create elemental images of tumors or tumor models reflecting this heterogeneity at a cellular level. This possibility together with the possibility of quantifying drug uptake or other marker molecules will significantly advance preclinical cancer research.”
Dr. Damon Green, VP Marketing & Technology at Teledyne CETAC Technologies, stated “We will be entering into collaboration with the University of Vienna to further improve science, technology and applications in elemental bioimaging harnessing this unique combination of cutting edge equipment.” He added: “the talented group in Vienna offers a valuable route forward, enhancing the possibilities in this growing area of scientific interest and will help us develop the technology into more commercial application areas in biomedical science.”
Dr. Martin Tanner, Product Manager for the icpTOF at TOFWERK, also expressed great enthusiasm, noting that researchers in Vienna will utilize the high-speed, multi-element capabilities of the icpTOF for single particle analysis, in addition to the bioimaging research. “This installation is especially exciting for us because the interdisciplinary team at the University of Vienna has ideas for groundbreaking work in both biomedical and environmental research based on a single platform.”
About Teledyne CETAC Technologies
Teledyne CETAC Technologies, a brand of Teledyne Instruments Inc., is a developer and marketer of specialist sample introduction devices for scientific analytical instruments, with a long history in atomic spectroscopy. Teledyne CETAC Technologies operates its R&D and manufacturing from Omaha, NE, USA, with the Teledyne Photon Machines brand of laser-based sample introduction products being developed and manufactured from Bozeman, MT, USA. For more information, please visit teledynecetac.com.
About TOFWERK AG:
Headquartered in Thun, Switzerland, TOFWERK AG designs and manufactures time-of-flight mass spectrometers (TOFMS) for a broad range of laboratory and field applications. In addition to its line of research products, TOFWERK collaborates with research laboratories and OEM customers to develop custom TOFMS-based solutions for unique analytical problems. For more information, please visit tofwerk.com.
About University of Vienna:
The Institute of Analytical Chemistry, at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna is a center for mass spectrometry dealing with complementary molecular and elemental mass spectrometry. The method portfolio covers different -Omics disciplines such as metabolomics, lipidomics and most importantly metallomics. Indeed the group around Gunda Köllensperger has a long tradition in atomic spectroscopy focusing on elemental speciation analysis in biological and environmental applications. More recently, the institute got involved in imaging of advanced tumor models with the aim of improving screening methods in preclinical drug development. In 2017 the group hosted the VIth International Symposium on Metallomics.
For more information, please see: anchem.univie.ac.at/.
