Spatial lipidomics of disease progression using mass spectrometry imaging and vibrational spectroscopy

In this project we will apply the latest high-resolution chemical imaging techniques to provide new insight into lipid metabolism within cellular systems. State-of-the-art mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy-based hyperspectral imaging techniques will be applied, together with established co-culture protocols to examine the role of lipids and their metabolites in cells. Such studies have been made possible by recent advances within our research teams in instrument development and data processing to extract biochemical understanding from complex data sets. Our initial focus will be on the lipid-mediated interaction of cancer cells within a host matrix/co-culture, including the role of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids in promoting cellular proliferation. Crucially, the methodology we will develop will be broadly applicable to a wide range of important cellular bioscience problems.