The Neumann lab was established in the summer of 2022 and studies the molecular and cellular architecture behind neurological diseases. The research is highly interdisciplinary and involves developing analytical tools and multimodal imaging methods for understanding complex biological phenomena. In sum, we use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI, Bruce the Shark) to measure hundreds to thousands of molecular features within a biological sample without disturbing their spatial content. We can then couple this chemically informative information to other powerful technologies, such as highly multiplexed immunofluorescence, spectroscopy, or transcriptomics, to get a more complete picture of complex biological systems. We have many collaborations throughout UC Davis as well as external to the university. Through this, we have active projects aimed at exploring Alzheimer’s, Canavan, cancer, among other diseases. In addition, we are advancing analytical chemistry by developing approaches for drug detection and peptide screening as well as combining multiple imaging approaches together on the same tissue.

Mass spectrometry IMAGING?

How do we use mass spectrometry to create images?

Using MALDI MSI in conjunction with other imaging modalities allows for more robust analysis of complex diseases which cannot be adequately characterized with any single analytical method. To perform high resolution mass spectrometry imaging with high mass accuracy, you need a pretty powerful instrument.

Meet Bruce!

To perform high resolution mass spectrometry imaging with high mass accuracy, you need a pretty powerful instrument. This is Bruce, our Bruker MALDI tims TOF flex.