Ron M.A. Heeren (Presenter)
M4I, Maastricht University
Bio: Prof. Dr. Ron M.A. Heeren is a distinguished professor of molecular imaging and Limburg Chair at the University of Maastricht since 2014. He is the director of the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, M4I, and heads the division of imaging MS. He obtained a PhD degree in technical physics in 1992 at the University of Amsterdam on plasma-surface interactions. He was the research group leader at FOM-AMOLF. In 2001 he was appointed professor at the chemistry faculty of Utrecht University lecturing on the physical aspects of biomolecular mass spectrometry. He has pioneered innovative approaches in high performance imaging mass spectrometry from 1995 onward. He is the elected treasurer and executive board member of the international mass spectrometry foundation and is active in many professional societies to advance mass spectrometric research, education and professionalization.
Authorship: Ron M.A. Heeren and the entire M4I team
M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging insitute, Maastricht University
| Short Abstract A comprehensive understanding of molecular patterns of health and disease is needed to pave the way for personalized medicine and tissue regeneration. The best way to capture disease complexity is to chart and connect multilevel molecular information within a tissue using mass spectrometry and data algorithms. this molecular tissue-typing using imaging mass spectrometry provides unique insights in patterns of health and disease. Mass spectrometry based molecular information is impacting clinical research and diagnosis in various disciplines, ranging from pathology to surgical care. Molecular detail provided by translational imaging mass spectrometry is demonstrated to directly benefit patient cure and care. |
Long Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of molecular patterns of health and disease is needed to pave the way for personalized medicine and tissue regeneration. One barrier to predictive, personalized medicine is the lack of a comprehensive molecular understanding at the tissue level . As we grasp the astonishing complexity of biological systems (whether single cells or whole organisms), it becomes more and more evident that within this complexity lies the information needed to provide insight in the origin, progression and treatment of various diseases. The best way to capture disease complexity is to chart and connect multilevel molecular information within a tissue using mass spectrometry and data algorithms. Charting this territory through the generation of molecular atlases from cells and tissue has become reality through the clinical implementation of imaging mass spectrometry complemented with high throughput “omics” approaches. It is evident that a single analytical technology merely yields a subset of the molecular information needed to obtain an in depth understanding of a clinical problem. Multimodal approaches enable the study of clinical samples at a variety of molecular and spatial scales. The distribution of several hundreds of molecules on the surface of complex (biological) surfaces can be determined directly in complementary imaging MS experiment with different desorption and ionization strategies. High throughput, high resolution MALDI techniques offer three dimensional molecular data on the tissue level. The combination with tools from structural biology makes it possible to perform imaging experiments at length scales from cells to patients.
References & Acknowledgements:
| Description | Y/N | Source |
| Grants | yes | NWO, Region of Limburg |
| Salary | yes | Maastricht University |
| Board Member | yes | MSACL SciCom, Scientific advisory board Denator, msterdam Scientific Instruments |
| Stock | no | |
| Expenses | yes | MSACL |
IP Royalty: no
| Planning to mention or discuss specific products or technology of the company(ies) listed above: | no |